MP's Help

[elvis1]

Hi I thought i would ask this question as I spoke with my MP yesterday and we discussed bringing my wife home. After the initial chit chat he explained to me that many overseas missions have been known to refuse applicants simply because they do not believe the marriage / relationship will work.

My first question here is where is this stated in British law where a ECO can make a decision based on his opinion about the future of a relationship?

It is my understanding that as long as there are sufficient funds, evidence of an existing relationship and adequate housing then there are no grounds for a refusal.

My second question is that after reviewing my situation and the documentation he told me to give him copies of this and that he will write the Embassy.

Is this likely to help or cause us unforseen problems?

Thank you

Andrew

[John]

Andrew, prior to my wife applying for her spouse visa back in 2001 I made contact with my MP, showed him the IM2A and IM2B forms (the predecessors to the VAF2). He quickly looked at them and his one comment that stuck in my mind was ..... "evidence of contact ...... don't skimp on that ... it is very important!"

Andrew, British Missions are on the look-out for marriages of convenience. They want to see proof that the marriage is real, and not just a scam. It is therefore entirely reasonable for them to want to see evidence from the happy couple. After all, were they to think it is a marriage of convenience then their refusal wording would indeed by something about the marriage not lasting!

So I have to say I don't agree with your third paragraph that starts ... "It is my understanding that .....". ECOs in British Missions are only doing their job .... trying to spot marriages of convenience.

I repeat the advice from my (now-ex) MP ... don't skimp on the evidence of contact!

[elvis1]

Thanks for your reply John.

My post was just out of curiosity as some things didnt seem to add up correctly and thank you for explaining them.

We have no intention of skimping on any evidence of contact. We have compiled hundreds of pages of email, phone records, photos etc. Even bank statements from an account I have to which she has the card and show the financial support I give her.

I will admit that we are both very nervous about going to the embassy and some of my MP's comments have made us even more nervous.

Andrew