Please advise .

I am inviting My sister and her 3 young children to UK. for my child's baptism of which she will also be a God parent. They will also use that opportunity to visit places of interest around London.

They plan to visit for 10 days

My question is , can I state that they will be staying with us? My husband and I and our 20 month old live in a 3 bedroom house. So we have a spare room.

I don't know if ECO will class that as sufficient accommodation for the duration of their stay or if they should kuku book hotel reservation. I want to be sure we are doing the right thing.

Last post is feb 16... anybody here? Have a question please??

ajirapsy:
Hi Everyone,

I recently started hearing about IELTS UKVI. We will be applying for Spouse visa later this year and i already have IELTS General Training 7.0 score i did last year in Lagos.

I'm a little bit confused right now and would like to hear from people the appropriate test for English Language requirement for UK Spouse visa.
I hope i didn't do a wrong test.

You need IETLS A1 test for UK spouse visa application . this is likely changing in October to A2.
Unforunately, HO won't accept IETLS General for spouse visa

tunderule2016:



As i said i am 100% sure. please read the section of Accomodation details ...and tell me if i am sure again... if you want to go ahead with your inspection good luck with the pounds spending .... to MAMA CHARLIE....



I believe you can see it says .. ""YOU MAY WISH'" and secondly it says "" THIS COULD INCLUDE"" it never said it includes all so please i know what i am saying ... I have submitted more than 3 applications and i know what i am saying. Your utility bills supports your landlord letter and your house agreement. Enjoy the list below and the link


https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/270197/sup-docs-settlement.pdf

Accommodation details
You may wish to submit any of the following documents to provide us with evidence of your accommodation. We advise
that you do not make any payments for accommodation, travel and so on until you have received your visa.

Details of the accommodation that you
and your sponsor intend to live in and
permission for you to stay there along
with evidence of any other occupants
This could include:
 Land Registry documents
 mortgage statements
 rent book or tenancy agreement
 council tax statements
 property inspection report
 utilities bills
 accommodation details with a supporting letter from the occupant/ landlord
confirming that you are able to stay there

They he goes again ... I don't hv time to engage in war of words. Neither do I need the links to guides because I am fully aware of the wordings and requirements. HO provides list of possible docs that can be used in support of an application BUT the onus is on the applicant to provide documents based on their personal circumstance.

landlord letter /utility bill /tenancy aggrement does not suffice when it comes to SHARED accommodation. When an accommodation is being shared by multiple people, the first thing that comes to mind is "OVERCROWDING". So the ECO wants to know IF the dwelling will be overcrowded or not by the addition of an extra person(s). The report is carried out by surveyors who states details of people in the property, no of rooms/dimensions and if property is already over crowded or will be with the addition of the new tenant(s).

Listen, even if you miss out the "most important document", HO will still process your application . The end result is what matters right? . It is best not to leave room for refusals. Hence you hear the famous say "make your application water tight" so I will always advise an applicant to provide a useful document. And for shared accommodations , PIR is. It doesn't mean it's an instant refusal if not provided but it could lead to a refusal.

Sorry I am not an applicant neither will I be making any application..lol . the advise was in response to the OP who wanted to know about PIR.

You seem to brag about having submitted several applications ... hmm , and I believe your previous have been refused? I don't care to know the details or why it was refused anyway. But my point is that because you submitted an application to HO and awaiting an outcome doesn't make you a know all. Maybe after a successful application . Even at that, application should best be handled based on personal circumstance.

tunderule2016:



Firstly, you landlord has confirmed the apartment and in the letter your landlord has welcomed the third party. That is what matters... it is not in the requirement of the Home office that you should do inspection..... If you feel you want to include it , then go ahead.. but it is not a necessity ... there are some documents that are necessity .. for accommodation it is Tenancy agreement and u also have utility bill which will be showing your name...

good luck!!!

Thunderule, how sure are you on this? Or you making an assumption? Did you read that I stated it is essential for people living in shared accommodation? Provision when required, is in the interest of the applicant. You may want to read list of supporting docs HO recommend to prove sufficient accommodation.

janykute:
Hi guys,am about to apply for a settlement visa for my wife,just packaged the necessary documents and about to dispatch but I read something about house inspection and would like someone to break it down for me in a lay mans language.I have my tenancy agreement and a covering note from my landlord but I do not know what this house inspection is all about.Someone should please help me out.

Property inspection report is a requirement if you live in a shared accommodation. it is used to show if accommodation is sufficient to house the extra person(s) on the application or the extra person (s) will lead to overcrowded accomodation

justwise:
[/b]

You are still 110% wrong and your argument got nothing to do with the point at hand.

When a child is involved that increases the spouse visa financial requirement

Justwise i hate to disagree with you this time cos you are such a nice and helpful guy.

With the financial requirements children who are British citizens are exempted from the requirement .

Taking out children born of parent who is British citizen here........so:
Basically this means, if a child is born in the UK to a parent who is settled in the UK at the time of birth , that child becomes a BC at birth ... So is exempted

If a child is born in the UK to a parent who is not of settled status, that child can be registered as a British Citizen when either parent attains a settled status...... So once the child is registered as a BC , they are exempted .

So if the sponsor has a child who is either registered as a BC after a parent became settled or BC at birth cos the parent already attained a settled status at the time of birth, that child(ren) will be exempted.

As per the OPs question and as tunderule stated correctly if the OP's child is a BC at the time of application , the threshold to meet will be 18600 if they are going down the employment route. Unless there are non British child(ren) being included on the application.

Hope this helps

KemBee86:


I got in exactly 3 weeks ago and it hasn't been easy. I had severe cold and flu my first week, had to use some malaria drugs I bought. Then tried applying for NI and I was given appointment to come back like in a month. Can't appkied for job cos I don't have the NI and all these ppl keep asking if u v uk experience.
I miss Naija biko

As already stated, you can work without NI for 12 weeks but the issue is seeing a recruitment agency or company willing to employ someone without NI. For the application, phone job center plus on: 0345 600 0643 and tell them you want to apply for NI. They will enquire your residency status and then send you the application pack with doc list to submit. That should arrive within 10 days. Once sent back , you might be called in for an interview or your NI will arrive within 2 weeks. So not sure the procedure u followed.

As per work experience ,depending on the type of work you are after, you may want to consider trainee roles or voluntary in that field for short period

Portsmouth86:


I'm still in shock that its happened so fast, I know its early days but I couldn't keep it to myself, although wont be putting it on FB any time soon

Due date should be about 21st December I will confirm once I have the dating scan

Awww, congrats hun. Always joyful to hear baby news. Try get all the rest and SLEEP you can at this stage. wish u and ur hubby the best

[quote author=tunderule2016 post=44592803]


Do you still need to give advice especially when a post was long in the past , dead and buried?.

airforce91:
That's my next step to contact my MP as I have not seen any case that's taken this long, I wasnt sure which to contact first between the MP or lawyer.

I don't understand why the application has not been straightforward and they have not written to me explaining why. On their website it says if your application is complicated/ not straight forward they will write to you in the 12th week with the next step to take but heard nothing from them till date.

I was called on the 4th of December 2015 about attending an interview on the 8th of December. But 2months before then I was summoned for jury service at a crown court in London starting on the 7th of December and it was compulsory. So I told the contact about my jury summons and if it was possible to confirm with her on Monday when I get to court.
she said she will get back to me that she was just the person that books the interview and her boss had gone home (as this was past 6pm on a friday ). And that I might not even need to attend an interview.

On Tuesday the 8th of December she left me a VM saying her boss said I don't need to attend the interview as long as I send a copy of my jury summons/evidence of my jury service to an email which she provided. I sent it right away and a week after I got a reply saying it was received and it will be forwarded to the person in charge.

Since then everytime me or my spouse calls or emails all we get back ( from the third party) is we will escalate the matter and be patient. The only positive feedback so far was when we asked the third party to escalate and find out if they got the jury summons letter and they replied saying they did.
Other than that it has been "As previously adviced (ie on 16th Dec 2015 till the last response from them on the 16th March 2016) your application has not been straightforward. When I email them since the 16th of March all I get is be patient.

To be fair this has taken way too long, and I am sure this would have been granted earlier if I had attended the interview but that wasn't my fault I was summoned to be a jury for a trial and was told by them I do not need to attend the interview. SO PLS HOUSE WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE MP FIRST AND THEN LAWYER?

"Be patient ?" Arrant nonsense. This is riddiculous. I feel really upset reading through your post cos I just imagine what you and your partner are passing through. please please please, as newbie said, contact your MP immediately, you left it rather too long. your MP will definitely act on this sort of case with every urgency.
Please don't beat down yourself. You have done all you could have done.

May God be with you and shine HIS light on every aspect of your application . It won't be long before all these end in praise.. Please keep us posted.

Saratkum:
Its not the letter tho.. its the passport stamp thats missing >.< Really bizzare Our lawyer said the passport should have been stamped with a 30days visa. Is this true??

This is really a strange one considering Kenson4ever had similar experience . I doubt the procedure has changed. You should hv visa stamp in the passport which is valid for 30 days

kenson4ever:
@Portsmouth86

I have no stamp on my passport when i picked it up from teleperformance office yesterday but i have the decision letter (sucessful visa application). I was advised to go to the british high commission. I am surprised ....

Huuu, sound like an error. Not aware of procedure change. Your passport should have been stamped with a visa that is valid for 30 days. This will enable you travel to UK . You will then pickup your BRP within 10 days of arrival in the uk from the post office as stated on the decision letter.

Going to BHC is an option if someone will actually deal with your query there. You can call the premium support line. Also tell your partner in the UK to call the premium UKVI helpline 234 14406 203 or 44 1243 217 987. They should advice on the next step. You can also write to the same address where your application was processed (Sheffield) citing your VAF/GW numbers . It's advisable to send the letter by a recorded post.

Lexusgs430:


Organise all the documentations you did not submit + the ones you submitted(from both of you), put them in a decent pile, organise them accordingly and put in your appeal.
You would win your appeal (you have 28 days from your rejection date to lodge an appeal).

I agree with lexusgs430 . If I am in your shoes, wouldn't waste money on a new application

Lightme:
I will do that, he received the notice on 31 march, I'm thinking of doing a paper hearing, will it be OK, this is because I need to travel to nig for few months my hubby has missed the children for over a year now, so might not know how the oral hearing will go. I will ensure I gather more evidence, I read even in the immigration rules that the ECO should give applicant opportunity to provide further evidence, they should hv called me for interview to prove my marriage to them.

You seem really informed. Absolutely correct.

Lightme:
Thanks for your reply, I have other things that were not submitted, we been married for 6 years now, I have emails from 2009, videos call from 2013 which we didn't submit initially, I never thought they will say it's not a genuine with 2 children, I was more focused on the income and other areas which I'm glad we met, what is our chances of winning this appeal?

Bang on correct. When biological children is involved , the issue of sham marriage is never raised . I guess this is an ECO just having a bad day. If you have time to spare just appeal and it will be overturned. Base it on the fact that you have children together. Provide thier birth certificates, passports copies. If you haven't provided a lot more communication logs due to total size of the logs, state that . But then add about 2 day logs per month covering the period of relationship. Include all your travel tickets to visit him and also copies of entry and exit stamps that corresponds with those (not a biggie if you can't find all your tickets , the stamps will do). Also include the extra docs justwise mentioned.

But if you have the money for another application , you can reapply . If not an appeal will be successful.

Wish you luck

Saratkum:
WE DID IT GUYS!!!! My hubby just collected his visa and we r 12weeks today!!! We are over the moon and couldnt have done it without the wonderful support system on here, thank you! MY BABY IS COMING! ^___^

Woooo, big fat congrats! Enjoy!!

justwise:
@Portsmouth86

Your ban is heating up

You are driving traffic from nairaland to facebook?

_{Please keep it here nairaland needs it}

For application in Nigeria, you can't beat this site in my opinion

lashani01:
good evening all,

I have been reading this forum and plucked the courage to finally join today i am really worried here is my story in a nutshell would anybody be able to help me..i have been married to my spouse since october 2015, we have been together since December 2013. i am British of nigerian heritage and earn in excess of £18600 approx £32 000.i live on my own in a one bedroom house, the landlord has given permission for my husband to live with me in my home. I have a 7 year old daughter who lives with my mother. i am quite worried as my husband applied to visit my family and i in august 2014 on a visit visa but was rejected and told that the visa was denied due to deception as it is alleged that false documents were used in the visit visa application and he has been banned for 10 years. This was really upsetting but i have been going to visit him in Nigeria at least twice a year, we communicate everyday via whatsapp,skype,facetime and even calling each other. my question is we are in the process of applying for a spousal visa what are our chances??

any help or advice would be greatly appreciated have spoken to some people and they have said i should not waste my time as a ban is a ban and other people have said that this visa supercedes such bans..i really don't want to put so much money in this process as it is quite expensive to not have a positive outcome..as i am sure we meet all the requirements for this visa but my worry is the ban.

thanks waiting favourably for a response or advice or pointing me in the right direction. God bless you

While reading your post It sounded like my SIL writing this cos that was their exact situation. Same salary range, husband banned due to false docs and misrepresentation of facts. The husband moved to uk this year following a succeful spouse visa on first attempt. So you have nothing to worry about

Anyway my dear. Portsmouth was bang on with her advise. Ignore whoever tells you otherwise.the refusal must be briefly addressed on an applicant cover letter and make sure there are no lies on your application . Take your time and prepare your support documentation /application and don't rush it. You can do it on your own. You need to supply as much evidence as possible. Wish you the best.

This is a very useful forum.

Batba1:


Thanks a lot!

Please one more question about the self addressed envelope...who needs this and what exactly is it for?

If you are referring to prepaid return bag.. This is for the return of your supporting docs. This should be included in the package containing supporting docs that the sponsor will send to Sheffield. It will be addressed to the sponsor and postage cost paid . I will advise you check the envelope or mail bag can hold same amount of docs you are sending to sheffield and the amount paid enough to post parcel of that weight.

All our supporting docs (sponsors and applicants) was returned including photocopies.

Batba1:
Hi guys...please...should the letter from the employer and letter from the bank be addressed to the ECO, UKVI or it should be 'to whom it may concern'?

You can address to whom it may concern
You can address to ENtry Clearnace Officer

It doesn't matter.

In my opinion,
Letter from bank should be addressed to whom it may concern
Employer can be addressed either way. Mine was addressed to ECO at Sheffield

Portsmouth86:


this is not essential

I listed what I wrote if that helps

note: we did not write any other letter or have any from family or friends visa was granted

The applicant cover letter may not have been essential with regards to your application , but it was to ours. And infact it was exceptionally important and we wouldn't have had our application processed in 3 days without that, as there are concerns that needed explaining about the applicant.

All what we do here as per stating docs provided and what and how we did ours should only act as guidance . Every applicant should tackle thier application in a way that best suits their situation.

Bbken:
Hi justwise, Lex and everyone,

I got the refusal letter today and the Visa was refused for 3 reasons.

1)communication (that we provided only one year communication evidence whereas we have known for more than 5years, that apart from my wedding pictures they are not clear when those other pictures I sent were taken. That hubby has didn't give reason why he has not visited Nigeria after the wedding in January lol( hubby just got settled this 2015, he was facing he own settlement which he got with out stress).

2) no letter from land and

3)account (hubby is self employed).

I sent pictures we took at the UK but I didn't send my flight ticket but my passport page has the stamp of the entry date and the day I left,

We only forwarded our chat from January to December 2015, we have emails we have been sending since 2009 but did not include them.

I don't understand the account part but I know that hubby made more £18,600

Now hubby want to appeal and contest the decision while we plan to reapply,

My question now is can one make an appeal and still reapply at some point or do you have to wait until appeal is over before you reapply if you are not successful.

I want to be able to make the best decision as to which option to take either to reapply or appeal.

Can we send other documents like email, flight ticket, letter from land Lord and others during appeal.

All documents were returned completely.

Please I await your response.
Thank you

You can submit a fresh application and also appeal same time. If you are appealing you might as well wait till the deadline of the initial appeal stage to see if ECO overturns decision. (they can , where they hv made a mistake). You will have to submit all your documents including new evidence/missing supporting docs with your appeal. In my opinion , based on your reasons for refusal, you stand better chance with a fresh application.
Produce as much evidence as possible, check thoroughly that you have covered every requirement and more , leaving no room for refusal. If you stated that you have been in a relationship/marriage for 5 years , back it up with evidence. Yes there are travel stamps in passports, make reference to that in your cover letter. Don't think ECO will figure it out. The landlords letter was a clear requirement , read the requirements carefully and check you supplied all evidence. The key thing is evidence. Address any possible concerns that might arise in a cover letter. Ask your hubby to check the docs he produced for his self employment to ensure it meets the HO requirement?. Pictures are best labelled , that way the person looking at it can see when and where it was taken and individuals in the photo. ECO wants to see evidence covering the entire period of relationship. If you are reapplying , ensure you address their concern over your hubby not visiting you after your wedding . You might actually think about meeting before lodging another application. Your hubby should also submit copied of entry and exit stamps on his passport. There are various posts from people listing docs they hv submitted on this forum. All the best

Bbken:
@Lex thanks a lot for your time, please do you know the correct email address to reach them, or a link to finding it.

You can use their contact Center in the first instance using this link https://ukvi-international.faq-help.com . You can also write to the address the original application was posted to . Add your VAF and GW numbers and your details, address it FAO the ECO that handled the application (the initials you will find in the refusal letter).Use a recorded service and also include a prepaid return envelope. Ur sponsor in uk can actually do this on your behalf

Bbken:
Hello justwise,Portsmouth and every guru in this house I need your help and way forward cos am really worried ,
I applied for spouse on 29 December and only to get decision email on 16 march and on 18 March IHS was returned into my account, also supporting documents was returned to hubby same day 16 March but am yet to receive collection email.
In our supporting documents, my university degree certificate, UK Naric certificate which I used as prove of English, TB certificate, call log print out, WhatsApp chat history over 200pages and some other documents were not returned to him.
I have visited him before in the UK before our marriage,
Please my good people what those this indicate?
Will I receive the remaining documents here because we sent all the documents together in one envelop.
Ones I pick it will let you know what I have.
Please I need your response. Thanks

I am very sorry about this, but it sound like your application was refused. Just stay calm till you pick up your passport next week, then you can know their reason for refusal.

HO always return proof of English and TB test directly to the applicant with his/her passport and their decision. So you will get your degree cert+UK NARIC letter and will also get your TB cert.

The other docs they didn't return you won't recieve. You can request return of those docs if they can't be easily reproduced and needed for your appeal or reapplication.

I wish you luck

Ibs45bae:
Hi @blza I noticed in your application pack you had enclosed "applicants cover letter". What did you mean by this...would you be able to post an example?

The applicant cover letter was used to address any concerns that may possibly arise from the information in the application form. We didn't use the additional info page on the last page cos we wanted to address a few issues(we just wrote - see applicant's cover letter on that page). Example , my hubby lost one of his old passport and hv no record of it. We stated that on the form then explain that on the letter, mentioning the place it and estimated time it was issued and when it went missing. My hubby also mentioned in a very few lines his intentions to join his family hence the application. Etc etc etc.

The format: mention the section on the form you are referring to and add the extra information.

If you have had a refusal , it can be mentioned there.

Brightingsus:
Hello Batba1,

The revised fees would be introduced; it should be April 5 though. The Visa application fees would go up as this is the case from year to year.

The new UK immigration fees are effective in 2 days time . On 18 March .
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/503759/2016_Unit_Costs_Table.pdf

Brightingsus:
Hello Ibs45bae,

I may not know why you want to return to Nigeria to apply, perhaps the visa you already hold does not allow you apply to remain with family.

You might need to check https://www.gov.uk/join-family-in-uk for an understanding of the requirements. The requirement is that your sponsor should have a suitable place, but your case is somewhat different. You might want to include your spouse's name in the electoral register as eligible to vote under your house which you co-own with your mother. That way your wife is recognised at that address. Your sponsor needs to explain all this in the letter they would write. Others can throw more light on this accommodation bit for you.

As for the TB test, if you choose your clinic, it's an automatic failure. There are about two clinics the UKVI recognises in all of Nigeria, one in Lagos and the other in Abuja. Find the image below for the contacts. It's about 26k in naira.

You can find the link on the TB testing in Nigeria on the UKVI website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tuberculosis-test-for-a-uk-visa-clinics-in-nigeria/tuberculosis-testing-in-nigeria

Then for priority, am not sure. The best thing is not to pay for priority when you register with TLS contact. Apply as normal and register as normal and book your appointment for biometrics. Then when you get to the facility, before getting in ask the staff if you could do priority since you had previously been denied. Make sure you do this before you submit your documents there. If it's possible then pay for it there. My wife only paid for priority upon getting to the TLS appointment.

Priority can only be paid for on the day of biometrics as they need to add manually add that service to your account and then ask you to make the payment online. The service is currently not available for applicants in Nigeria at the point of registration

obabola123:
Hello, please i need to some information. i don't understand how i can get my call logs printed because i called MTN office yesterday and i was told that i can only print out on my phone which i don't understand and also how can i print my whatsapp chat too? i was trying it but just don't get it. Also about the application payment with my ATM card, how possible? because i was thinking hope CBN limit will not be a problem.

Email yourself the relevant person's chat history. You will recieve a text file but can copy all contents onto a different program like word so more can be fitted on a page and print. See steps below.
Open the WhatsApp conversation you want to email.
Tap the contact's name or group subject in the navigation bar.
Scroll to the bottom and tap Export Chat.
Select if you want to Attach Media or email the conversation Without Media.
Enter your email address and tap Send.

As per payments , you can't pay with your Nigeria card due to the caps on card spending. Your sponsor can make these payments , that's what myself and many others have done.

As per call history, I will advise you get the sponsor to provide print out your call history from the U.K. you do direct calls , he/can request itemised bills from the service provider. I printed my Rebtel call logs in support of our application

Hope this helps

ronks27:
Hi All

To all our fellow Nairalanders that has recently been granted their spouse visa, please make sure once your in the UK to start gathering cohabitation evidence for the next stage ok

file them all nicely so when the time comes you dont need to stress finding correspondence

Now we need a group for the FLR (Further leave to remain)

God bless

Hello, thanks for letting us know! Do you mean living arrangements?

Good advise, and group for FLR sounds like a great idea.

nky2015:
Pls guys , I have submitted my husbands visa app.
I wanted to know if they always request for an interview with the sponsor.

You can be called for an interview if the ECO have reason to or requires clarification. It doesn't happen as a standard procedure . I wasn't called and we applied last month. Just prepare yourself incase as they sometimes do telephone interview. The good thing is that if it happens , you will be asked things you should know (about you , the applicant, your families and your relationship)

KemBee86:
Hi guys,
How are you all doing? Please do I actually need the TB certificate at point of entry? The one I used to get the visa expired in January. I called IOM now and they told me the test is a whooping 26,250 naira. Is it necessary? Please what's the worse that can happen.

Justwise isn't far from the truth if common sense is applied. But I will advise you to go get another test done and have a valid result on you. This is to avoid any silliness at passport control. Just read response from IOM to this same question advising to travel with a valid one. It's up to you. But for 26k, doesn't match up the stress if it happens