A very big hello to all the members on the forum who have provided excellent advice to all the immigration conundrums....I must say, your responses have been more informed than the dribble the Home Office comes out with. Congratulations to all whose applications proved successful and my fingers are crossed for all those still pending.
Reading around the forum has answered most of my queries, although I do have a few things i would like to double check on...forgive me if I appear to be repeating anything others' have asked before me. The least your opinions would do is to settle my nerves.
If I may begin with the backdrop to my questions:
* I have been on a student visa in the UK for the past four years. My immigration history has been clean, if I may say so myself, id est: no overstays, no unauthorised work and no criminal convictions.
* In september 06, I met the girl who soon became my other half. We met when I went on an open day at her university, we started dating since, soon became inseparable, considered tying the knot in january 07, looked around for somewhere to move in together in february 07, applied for and was granted the C of A in march 07 and finally we moved in, got married in a civil ceremony and have been living together since may 07.
* My student visa expires this october, so while i was looking around for the FLR(S) forms, it dawned on me i could instead apply with the FLR(M) and take the spouse settlement route instead of continuing on with the student visa. (If it has not been inferred yet, my wife is a British citizen).
Thus, this leads me to a few questions regarding my FLR(M) application:
1. Evidence of relationship: according to the guidance notes, I only need to submit our marriage certificate and proof of finances, however, I have read other posts where the applicant amassed and submitted directories of evidence to prove the legitimacy of their relationship; is it advisable that I do the same? Perhaps include wedding photographs, affidavits from the few friends who know about our marriage (we have had to keep it a bit of a secret...), tenancy agreement, bills, anything else anyone else suggests?
2. Wife's Student Loans/Grants: neither of us are claiming any of the Home Office list of public funds, however, my wife is a university student and she is claiming the tuition fee loan, maintenance loan and grant. Would this hinder our application? Additionally, this year she applied for the Adult Dependents Grant as part of her student loans. Will my application be penalised because of this? As i understand it, on the one hand, 'student loans' are not on the Home Office list of public funds, however, she is claiming it because of me. I recall reading a post where the resident spouse claimed joint Tax Credits, or something of that nature, and that proved to be reason to weaken the FLR(M) applying spouse's claim. Would that happen to my application?
3. My finances: this upcoming academic year I plan to finally sit my A2 levels as I was unable to previously due to poor mental health. Because of the pressures of studying the three sciences, I initially was not planning on taking on a part time job on the side; my father, who works abroad, will be supporting me financially this year and any future years I may need it. We budgeted everything out and the amount he provides, together with my wife's student loans is plenty to support us....we will not exactly be on the bread line. Is it okay for me to carry on with this plan, or will this significantly weaken my FLR(M) application? I did consider doing the A-levels part time and taking on part time work side-by-side, thus spreading the academic load over two years, however, careers advisors at college suggested that could hinder my university application when I feel mentally ready to start on that path. What would your advice be on this front?
4. My employability: I am aware relying on someone else for finances (id est, my father) does not bode well on the FLR(M) application...it does not exactly show self-sufficiency, but I do intend on starting employment as soon as I have my A2 levels under my belt. I have found it hard finding a suitable job with only AS levels (despite there being five of them at high A grades) and being on a student visa. I understand being on the two-year spouse residence permit will open more of the job market to me. No doubt finishing the A-Levels will also help. I invisage to be working full-time from July 08, as soon as my exams are over. Will it help if I include a letter highlighting this fact, even though it is speculative?
5. My wife's employability: she is undertaking a BA(Hons) course and plans to top it off with a PGCE before taking on a teaching position. This process will take three years. Even though her financial situation may not be fantastic right now, her studies will lead her to a decent entry-level teaching position earning around 17k. Will it be useful to state this fact on our application?
6. Our budget: before we even thought about moving in together, we worked things out meticulously to make sure we could actually afford it. Where we live has one bedroom and one reception room, naturally with the bathroom and Spam, access to a lovely garden and our rent includes utilities and cable tv. We budgeted for phone, internet bills, groceries, nights out, travel, hobbies, socialising, rainy day fund (the wife's idea) and a small disposable amount remains. We have stuck to it for the past three months without any problems and do not forsee any reason why we will not be able to continue to stick with it. I have read applicants applying from abroad being advised to include a budget. Although it is not directly required of me, shall I spreadsheet our finances out and send it as additional evidence? I do not want to get on the wrong side of the case worker by providing extraneous documents, but I do want to ensure a solid application.
Apologies in advance for ending up with such a long post...I hope it is detailed enough without being too waffly! I do look forward to any insight you can provide.
Best regards,
FSA
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