Applying for UK Spouse Visa in Zimbabwe - Not going well!

[Treesie A]

Hi

My Sister married Kevin, who comes from Zimbabwe 3 months ago. They met in the UK, were seeing each other for some time and lived together for about a year prior to getting married. Kevin had been in the UK for a number of years as a student and then working.

They went out to visit his family in Zimbabwe and married whilst they were out there. My sister found it very difficult living out there and has since returned to the UK.

They have applied for a UK Spouse Visa so that Kevin can join my sister back in the UK. They applied via the British Embassy in Zimbabwe. However, they have received no information at all.

I appreciate these things take time, but would expect there to be some guidelines as to how long things should take. I would also expect the embassy to inform Kevin what stage the application is at, if they require further information etc. All they keep telling Kevin is that the application is pending. If my sister tries to contact them they tell her very little as they say she is a third party.

Does anyone have any advice? Is there someone that we can contact in the UK to give us information?

Many Thanks

[John]

Teresa, how long ago was the application made for the spouse visa?

And do you know that evidence was supplied in support of the application?

[Treesie A]

Hi John

They applied for the Visa 3 months ago. I am afraid I don't know what evidence was supplied.

If you can tell me what evidence should have been supplied, please let me know and I will check with my sister that it was included with her application.

Many Thanks

[Biggie]

Teresa,

Best thing to do is ask your sister what they submitted as evidence in the application and then we can give our opinions on the matter.

Biggie.

[Treesie A]

Hi

I have spoken to my sister who has said that they enclosed the following information with the visa application:

Kevin's passport.

Marie's (my sister) Birth certificate and a photocopy of her passport as evidence that she is legally resident in the UK.

Photographs, letters and itemised telephone bills as evidence that they have met.

Evidence of finances and accommodation has been supported by Marie's Bank statements and a letter from my Mum to say that Kevin can reside at my parent's address and they will support him financially until he gets a job in the UK. Marie has also enclosed payslips from jobs that she held prior to going to Zimbabwe.

They have also sent their marriage certificate.

Is there any further evidence that they should have sent and if so should they send additional evidence at this stage or are they better to leave the application as it is?

Regards

[John]

Looks OK Teresa, I think it is rather just a question now of being patient .... as distinct from "Not going well!".

[Treesie A]

Thanks John

But are there not a set of rules and procedures relating to UK visas? e.g. they should inform the applicant of the status of the visa after a certain period of time, or make a decision within a certain time frame?

Do you know what the average time is for a visa to be granted, or does this depend on the nationality of the applicant/country from which the application is made?

Many Thanks

[John]

But are there not a set of rules and procedures relating to UK visas? e.g. they should inform the applicant of the status of the visa after a certain period of time, or make a decision within a certain time frame?

No

Do you know what the average time is for a visa to be granted, or does this depend on the nationality of the applicant/country from which the application is made?

It varies very considerably from one British Mission to another. And the success rate also varies very considerably ... see this topic.

[jamalkhan]

Treesie,

I can understand your sister's frustration. The high commision will not give you any information. I have seen people on this forum who has contacted the embassy and the embassy have told them the status. I simply find it hard to believe as my expereince tells me something totally opposite.

Did Kevin have any complication in his case?

If it is a simple case then 12 weeks is the deadline.

[Biggie]

Teresa,

Another factor is most decisions for visas in Zimbabwe are being processed through Pretoria SA. So the High Commission in Zim cannot be supportive at time.

Biggie.

[Treesie A]

As far as I am aware there are no complications.

Is 12 weeks an official deadline, after which the embassy must let them know what the status of the visa is if they call/email?

Many Thanks

[jamalkhan]

in 12 weeks you should contact the embassy as I think it is your right to question that. I do not know why emabssies keep people from thirdworld countries passports.