SPOUSE Visa queries

[Jatpunjabi]

Hi all,

I have been reading on the forum for past few weeks to get information regarding spouse visa as my cousin who is applying to sponsor her husband from Pakistan.

My main query is that the order of the application steps to be followed. As I understand the process goes like the following.
Steps:
1 - Fill online application form on visa4uk and pay the fees including IHS
2 - Book an appointment at a visa centre for Biometric collection - I believe its part of the above??
3 - Take passport, proof of fees-payment and printed (signed) copy of the online form to the appointment
4 - Then post your documents to Sheffield within 2-weeks of Biometric data collection date
5 - Then simply wait for the outcome

Could you please confirm whether the above order is correct and could please add/edit any changes needed?
Questions:
1 - Is there any time limit between 1st and 2nd step? Paying the fees and booking for Biometrics
2 - As the sponsor is send the documents to Sheffield does the online form (Vaf4A) needs applicant's signature? - If so then you'll have to wait for the form to arrive from Pakistan before posting the documents to Sheffield?
3 - Does sponsor passport photocopies need attesting/notarisation?
4 - 28 Days are backdated from online submission (fees payment) or from Biometric collection date?

They got married in early December 2017 and were together in Pakistan until the end of December 2017.
As they have been living apart for about two months so they only have whats app call logs as that is their only contact medium. I have been informed that two months is not a lengthy period they don't even need to send this.
An extract from the following website is below:

https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa/provide-information

"You don’t generally need to send in things like WhatsApp messages, Skype history or photos of you together."

Will be asking more questions as we complete the steps

[Londoner007]

Steps

1 - Fill online application form on visa4uk and pay the fees including IHS
2 - Book Biometric appointment online after application submitted
3 - Take passport, proof of fees-payment and copy of the online form to the appointment
4 - Then post your documents to Sheffield within 2-weeks of Biometric for priority, 4 weeks for non-priority
5 - Then pray to god and have patience!

1) No time limit just within reasonable time so do it within 2-3 week
2) Get applicant to sign the pages then scan and email to you. Then print it from UK and attach to application
3)No, if its British Passport just bio page
4)Date application was paid / submitted online

[Jatpunjabi]

Londoner007 - Thank you so much for quick reply. Didn't know the'd accept scanned versions. They should accept without signature then because scanned version is not original. Not very clear.

[Jatpunjabi]

She (the sponsor) has two jobs. One only started a month ago. She meets the £18600 with the other job which she's been doing for over 8 months now. Does she need to send the employment contract and employer's letter from the second job as well even though she's not relying on it to meet the financial requirement?
The salary comes into the same bank account so ECO might ask to explain. Could you please clarify this.
One more thing her total weekly working hours are 50+. I believe this is ok as she's voluntarily doing it. Asking this question with 48-hour rule in mind.
Thank you

[Londoner007]

No need to show both jobs and complicate things, just show main job that earns £18,600 and shes been there for more than 6 months. Make sure none of the payslip have dropped below £1550 gross in the past 6 months if shes paid monthly.

[Jatpunjabi]

Thank you for the superquick response. I am very grateful to you.

[Londoner007]

I would also add that given they were only married in December, they should wait a few months to build up more proof of subsisting relationship before applying in the form of call logs, money sent, gift exchanges, visits etc. But its up to them they can apply now.

[Jatpunjabi]

That's interesting. We have been informed the sooner you apply the less documents you need to provide.

[Londoner007]

Asia is known for forced marriages etc. Home Office may look at this way - they only been married 1 month did they do so because of family pressure, because they didn't think it through etc, is there a relationship at all apart from marriage certificate.

Unless of course this wasn't an arranged marriage and they knew each other for a while before marriage, for which you will be providing proof of anyway.

[Jatpunjabi]

Thanks again Londoner007. Yes we'll do that.
VAF4A Appendix 2 form doesn't ask for applicant's name. Do we write the online application number GWF.... somewhere here?

[Londoner007]

You can add GWF if you want but there is no need as it is part of your application and will go together in the bundle anyway.

[Jatpunjabi]

You can add GWF if you want but there is no need as it is part of your application and will go together in the bundle anyway.

Thank you very much. I appreciate your responses.

[Jatpunjabi]

We are at the stage of booking appointment for bio-metric collection. Could you please look at the documents checklist below and advise whether we need to add more?
What is the maximum time period one has for document submission after bio-metric submission (priority application)? I read 14 days and 1 week for priority application on the forum.
Document checklist:
Husband (Pakistani) - Applicant
Application (online) + appendix 2
2 passport size photos
Passport
Marriage certificate (Urdu) + attested English version
Marriage Registration certificate
TB Certificate
English test certificate A1
Wedding photographs
Birth Certificate + Pakistani ID card
Wedding Cards
Whats app screenshot (although written on the UK Gov website not to send it)
Wife (British Citizen) - Sponsor
Copy of British passport
Tenacy agreement
No objection letter from the estate agent managing the property
6 months’ payslips
6 months’ bank statements
Letter from employer confirming employment
Employment contract
Divorce certificate (Decree Absolute)
Child's Passport (from previous marriage)
Child's birth certificate
Court order stating child residing with mother

Income is £19000 from the job as the child is British so excluded from Financial Requirement???

Have another job which only started 2 months ago therefore not relying on that one to meet the financial requirement.
Only providing 2 payslips and employment contract for the 2nd job
Should we get employment confirmation letter for the 2nd job?
Working over 50 hours per week is ok? We think one can do if s/he wishes??

Thank you in advance

[Jatpunjabi]

Hi guys,
Anyone please with answer to any of the questions above. Thanks.

[seagul]

We are at the stage of booking appointment for bio-metric collection. Could you please look at the documents checklist below and advise whether we need to add more?
What is the maximum time period one has for document submission after bio-metric submission (priority application)? I read 14 days and 1 week for priority application on the forum.
Document checklist:
Husband (Pakistani) - Applicant
Application (online) + appendix 2
2 passport size photos
Passport
Marriage certificate (Urdu) + attested English version
Marriage Registration certificate
TB Certificate
English test certificate A1
Wedding photographs
Birth Certificate + Pakistani ID card
Wedding Cards
Whats app screenshot (although written on the UK Gov website not to send it)
Wife (British Citizen) - Sponsor
Copy of British passport
Tenacy agreement
No objection letter from the estate agent managing the property
6 months’ payslips
6 months’ bank statements
Letter from employer confirming employment
Employment contract
Divorce certificate (Decree Absolute)
Child's Passport (from previous marriage)
Child's birth certificate
Court order stating child residing with mother

Income is £19000 from the job as the child is British so excluded from Financial Requirement???

Have another job which only started 2 months ago therefore not relying on that one to meet the financial requirement.
Only providing 2 payslips and employment contract for the 2nd job
Should we get employment confirmation letter for the 2nd job?
Working over 50 hours per week is ok? We think one can do if s/he wishes??

Thank you in advance

After biometrics usually within 2 weeks the documents should be sent to Sheffield. See infomative link about it:

http://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/pakistan/how_to_apply.html

Regarding employment then don't send the 2 payslips or any document about 2nd job since your 1st major job can meet the requirement. Instead 50 hours she can work 500 hours the HO dont care but only care about gross wages of £18600

[Jatpunjabi]

Thank you so much seagul.
Just paid the IHS and visa fees. The system quoted the fees in Pakistani Rupees and the UK card was used to pay the fees. Is that Normal?
Also didn't give an option to apply as priority application so had to pay standard fees and the online printed form shows SUBMISSION METHOD: STANDARD.
Do we pay the priority fees separately? The form will still show standard application as already submitted .....right? We are very confused. Please enlighten us. Thanks.

[Jatpunjabi]

The amounts deducted are £1480.08 and £629.86 IHS. We thought it was £1464 and £600 for IHS?

[seagul]

I think there is a separate fee for prority service which usually available during biometrics at local vfs centre. And due to currency exchange rate the HO charge at extremely higher rate if paying by uk card.

[Jatpunjabi]

Thank you for quick reply. I have googled it and this comes up:

https://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/ShoppingCar ... vices.aspx

Just Paid the priority fees.
Any idea how to add this to the form??

[Jatpunjabi]

Thank you guys. Just to confirm the applicant needs to take the Passport, PAK ID Card, Application printout and appointment confirmation? Does one need to take receipts printouts and anything else as well? Thanks.

[metanoia]

Current and previous passports
No need for ID card
Application and appointment printout
Payment receipts with IHS reference number email.

You'll have to mark priority on package being sent to Sheffield also include priority payment receipt on top of documents bundle.

[sreekan2]

Do you need to post from Pakistan to Sheffield or the sponsor post from the UK?

[Jatpunjabi]

Current and previous passports
No need for ID card
Application and appointment printout
Payment receipts with IHS reference number email.

You'll have to mark priority on package being sent to Sheffield also include priority payment receipt on top of documents bundle.

Thank you metanioa. Passport submitted yesterday. Collecting documents to post to SHeffield. Will be askimg more questions as we go further.

[Jatpunjabi]

Do you need to post from Pakistan to Sheffield or the sponsor post from the UK?

I believe you can do either. We're posting from UK. I believe they only return the documents to the UK address.

[metanoia]

Do you need to post from Pakistan to Sheffield or the sponsor post from the UK?

I believe it's better to send your documents to your spouse and they can combine all documents and sent yo Sheffield. Firstly any courier company from Pakistan will not deliver to a P.O.. box. Secondly your spouse can include a prepaid return envelop for documents.