₦airaland Forum

Hi everyone!

I’m planning to apply for my MIL to attend my wedding coming up in August. May I please ask for help from the gurus in the house to make it a successsful one? We would want her to spend about 3 weeks. We have about £5000 in our joint savings account. We will be sponsoring the trip. She’s a housewife so no constant source of income. We currently live in Leeds but the wedding will be in London so we will travelling to London closer to the date. Should I provide rental information for Leeds or London (my parents residence) with the application?

Background- my husband works full time and I’m a full time student but receive grants. I hold the British citizenship.

Questions-

What documents will be required for the application?

Who submits the documents? My MIL during the biometrics or from here in the UK?

What’s the current timeline for visit visa applications from Nigeria?

Is £5000 sufficient to cater for her trip?

Does my MIl need to show any bank statements from her side despite ours sponsoring the entire trip?

What can we include in a support letter?

Do we need to show accommodation evidence such as rental agreements?

Are copies of these documents accepted as most are here and we’re hoping to email these to her back in Nigeria?

Should I show evidence for the student grants I receive as some went towards building the savings account?

How many payslips and bank statements are required from my hubby (co-sponsor)?

Any tips or pitfalls to avoid?

I’m very sorry for a long post!

Thank you

Hi, what are people’s experiences with Lagos Ikeja tls office? I’m asking as I called UKVI today to enquire about my friend’s application and the lady over the phone informed me decision has be made and sounded very surprised that we hadn’t yet received it. We’re deeply worried about this as she’s paid for courier so don’t know how long we’re expected to wait before receiving the passport.

justwise:
She will likely hear from them between now and the end of next week

Thank you

Hey everyone, I’m asking for a friend. She had her biometrics on 19/01, standard application but hasn’t had decision made email yet. It’s 62 working days today and she’s going out of her mind. Are Nigerian spouse visa applications experiencing any delays? Can anyone who applied around the same time let me know if they’ve heard back or not?! Thanks

Aphrodite007:
Can someone please answer these questions? I know everyone here has sent their documents from Nigeria to the UK. I just need to know how.

Hi, my hubby sent me his through DHL so look for any DHL outlets around where you are and it should come through. They’ll weigh your package and tell you the cost.

Lexusgs430:
Madam, na so you go just mention this good news and run away?
Haba, after all the sleepless nights of pinging?

Congratulations........... Proof that all we said was right.......

Loool Lexus Thank you so much most especially for dedicating hours upon hours explaining the whole process to me, this I will never forget in a hurry. I wasn’t expecting to hear this soon btw, I was shocked when hubby got decision made email today. The turnaround time for us was just about 39 working days. I’m really pleased with this considering the huge backlog

Hey guys, my hubby got his visa this afternoon from VI office. Thanks everyone for all the help and especially to Lexus.

Timeline - spouse visa priority
Country applied from- Nigeria
Application online submission - 11/08
Supporting docs sent to Sheffield- 14/08
Biometrics (VI) Lagos- 15/08
Confirmation email from UKVI- 16/08
Decision made- 9/10
Passport collected-9/10

Hi,

My husband had his biometrics on the 15th of August and it has since been updated to ‘received by UKVI’ x

sholeke:
Hello MG2801 was your application on hold, they have taken the hold off on 10th August. My husband application is on hold and we meet the financial requirement. God go flavor us

Hi, it wasn't on hold. I have just applied a week ago. Hopefully, you hear soon.

Hi Lexus, hope you're well? Just wanna inform you that I have applied recently after I put it on hold following our chat far back in January if you remember. I am just waiting patiently for the outcome and hope it works out well for me. Thank you very much as you helped me realise I wasn't quite ready then. Thankfully I heeded to your advice as I'm sure I have put in a water tight application of which would have been impossible back then.

Foreveryours201:
You could, I have heard a number of people sitting the B1 as that is what they would eventually need for FLR. However, if the degree was studied and examined in English and you have the degree certificate, letter from the University confirming this, as well as a transcript then you can always go down the comparability route with UK Naric. The certificate/statement from UK Naric will need to be submitted with the visa application though.

Thanks for your reply. During the flr application, will the degree route be accepted as it's been used for a successful previous application or would my hubby be required to take the ielets test?

Hey guys, do you reckon it's best to do the B1 ielets test for spouse visa than using his degree certificates as he will be required to the English test for flr anyway. What are your thoughts? Thanks

Lexusgs430:
You would also require an independent property inspection report. It would cost you £175. And the above requirements from the previous respondent

Thanks. How do I go about contracting someone to give inspect my parents house?

anyichi16:
Your parents will have to write a covering letter indicating how many rooms the house have, how many they will spare for you and your partner, their consent that both of you can live there comfortably without the house being overcrowded, Their consent that both of you are married. They will attach the energy bills, BT phone bills, house deeds and registery etc. Your parents will also attach a copy of their British passport. You will also attach a copy of any letter from the government(example HMRC tax letters) indicating that you live in the said address. Please let other members of the group help in stating the remaining things.

Thank you!

Hey guys, what are the rules regarding housing your partner at your parents residence? Can someone please clarify this to me? I'm thinking of using my parents address for fulfilling the accommodation requirement on my visa application and the house won't be overcrowded if he resides there. Will this hurt my application in any way?

Portsmouth86:
I have answered your questions the best i can, as above in bold, i hope that helps

Yes you have,thanks a million

Lexusgs430:
From memory, I think it's $942.00
NB : Remember that when the initial visa granted expires, another IHS fee is payable on another visa renewal application.

Great thanks! Can I ask if the system shows the amount payable for IHS during completion of the visa application?

Hey everyone, how much does the IHS cost for spouse visa application?
Thanks

Benz101:
MG2801

Be advised that the second option is if your degree is from an English speaking country which Nigeria is not included. My candid advise is for you to get your transcript, letter confirming that your degree was taught in english, and degree certificate. If you can't meet this, then do the IELTS exam. I understand that Universities will say that they don't issue transcript by hand, my was issued by hand. My spouse used her company to receive hers. If possible and if you have it, spread some money around. N10K it enough to get it.

Using NARIC is a good option if you have all they need. it only cost approx. £57 inclusive postage.

My case was that degree certificate has not been issued. Statement of result was ussed in place of degree certificate. NARIC was still able to confirm its equivalent to level C1 which is what they confirm generally. the only difference is the additional information section recommending that I make it available should an employer or an institution requires it. I also got an Attestation letter from University which includes my spouse name, degree studied and date of completion, and also confirmed that degree cert. is going through inscription and signing and would be issued when its ready. With the NARIC letter, letter confirming degree was taught in english and Attestation letter from my spouse university, and spouse statement of result, the english requirement is met. These documents will be submitted as well with the application.

Thank you for your detailed response. I have had a look on the Uk visa webpage and it does support your opinion on this issue. Therefore, I'll ensure to submit both his degree certificate and the NARIC equivalence statement. I do agree with you that anything is possible in Nigeria with money and connection lol

My hubby will visit his University soon to obtain those documents. I'll keep you updated of the outcome
Thank you

newbie715:
I used the English taught degree to prove my knowledge of English last year. I didn't get transcript, I submitted my certificate and a letter from my school stating my degree was taught in English and all course work and research were all in English as well. I guess I read the extract below from the gov.uk site and decided to go with the second option.

If your degree isn’t from a UK university, you’ll need your original degree certificate and one of the following:

-an original letter or certificate from UK NARIC confirming the equivalent level of your degree, plus an official letter from your university with your name and degree confirming that your degree was taught in English

-an original and official certificate from your university confirming the degree was taught or researched in a majority English-speaking country (except Canada)‎‎

But I guess you should do what makes you comfortable. All the best

Thanks a geat deal. This information is very useful. I think I'll go with the second option as well since it was accepted as sufficient evidence for English language proficiency. Again, it will be extra expense going down the NARIC route.

Benz101:
MG2801

If your husband is using the option of degree for the english assessment, He needs his certificate, a letter from his university stating that the degree was taught in english, his academic transcripts as well.
If you check my previous comment, I did similar, but I have not been issued my degree certificate so i used my statement of result. NARIC assessment was equivalent to level C1, but in mine, as i did not provide degree certificate, they recommended in the additional information section, that I should provide my degree certificate to potential employer or university. So with this NARIC letter, I requested from my university, a letter to confirm my name, my degree and date the degree was awarded, as stated on https://www.gov.uk/english-language/degrees-in-english.
I will include all these document in my application. I hope this helps.

Hi, thanks for your response. So he'll need to request for his degree certificate, confirmatory statement and a transcript. I know from previous experiences that Educational institutions do not always hand over transcripts to the students but can send directly to the institutions requiring them. Was this the same in your case or different?
Thank you

Lexusgs430:
One bed flat is sufficient. Self documents, like application form, passport, TB cert, Language certification etc etc etc
NB : Batba1 beat me to a more detailed list. You see MG2801, this queue for intoxication and protein feast, seems to be increasing...........

Thanks you so much My hubby has his degree taught in English so I'll assume he doesn't have to do the ielets test? Is there anything else he needs to submit apart from his degree certificate? I read on the website about some equivalence statement from UK Naric but I'm confused as to which to statement to apply for, the statement of equivalence or English assessment?

Thank you

Lexusgs430:
In reference to accomodation, you mentioned shared accommodation, but hoping to rent another apartment. Are you hoping to rent pre or post application?
The sponsor submits all the supporting documentations to Sheffield.
The applicant submits(self documents) to the local office of residence.

I'm hoping to rent pre application. A one bed flat should be alright,isn't it? Does self document include the applicant's passport? Is there anything else that should be submitted as part of the self document?
Thanks

Lexusgs430:
For a bottle of ciroc, anything is possible. If you have any issues you want clarification on, fire away. I am sure loads of us available to render any assistance we can give.
Notice I stated loads of us? That's loads of ciroc on ice.............

No worries lol. Can you please shed more light on the accommodation aspect? I've read on here about document submission and I'm confused about as to why the documents are submitted separately in Nigeria and Sheffield. Also,between the applicant and sponsor, who is responsible for submitting the documents.
Thanks

Lexusgs430:
Lol.
My advice at the time was either applying for a visiting visa(with loads of limitations) or waiting for all settlement prerequisites to be meet.
It seems my latter advice seems the best option and option you are considering, after months of deliberation.
That bottle of Ciroc you want to avoid paying me, I would collect it by Fire or Force..........

Heyy, it seems so lol. I'm sorry I confused you with a different person who also advised me then and also I was on a night shift and had enough already haha!!

So yes I have decided to heed to your advise and apply for a spouse visa instead. Thanks so much and I'll need as much help I can get from you and others. I'll definitely buy you a bottle of ciroc if all checks out in the end

Lexusgs430:
The biggest pitfall to avoid are
(1) Ensuring all financial & documentation prerequisites for the application are meet
(2) A hall of residence (what does your terms and conditions state in your agreement?
(3) Does you zero contract hours, give you enough financial power on the total wage front (£18,060) per annum
(4) Do you have enough documentation proof to ascertain your relationship (pictures, chat log, financial remittance etc etc etc)
(5) You are the sponsor, hence only YOUR bank statements (6 months and wages slips 6 months minimum required)
(6) And finally, do yourself a big favour and read through this thread (from page 1 to the end). I hear wifi and data are cheap enough, if not close to free. All the resources you require for a successful application are in this Treasure Throve Thread (I call it TTT).
Finally again, I know I said it earlier. Do not submit a half-baked application (it's not a cheap process), both financially and emotionally.
And finally yet again, Priority application is best (about £650 more or so), but safer than the long wait........
I take my well deserved leave.............

Thanks so much

Lexusgs430:
On July 18th, you asked an almost similar question and non of the advise tendered at the time appealed to you.
Just curious what had changed from July 18 - October 1?
Just my curious nature. I know what happened to the very curious cat..............

Thanks for your response. And no the questions are disimilar. On the 18th, I asked if there were alternative ways of applying based on my financial situation arising from my student status. If I remember clearly, you did advise emigrating to a European country or waiting until I graduated and none of the options appealed to me then and even now. So nothing has changed my dear. I hope you have a good day

Portsmouth86:
Your calculations need to be Gross pay so if you are weekly paid with weekly payslips, and for the evidence you supply 26 payslips (6 months) to get your average you would do...

26x£gross weekly x2 to get annual average then / (divide by 12 to get your monthly average)

example... Bob gets paid on a weekly basis and his weekly gross (before deductions) is £365

26x365=9490 (26 weeks=6 months)
9490x2= 18980 (yearly average) (bi-yearly needs to calculate £9300 minimum)
18980/12= £1581.67 (monthly average) your monthly average needs to be minimum of £1550

I hope this helps

fortnightly pay= 13 payslips
four weekly pay = 7 payslips
monthly=6 payslips


use the calculation as above for the 26 weeks, there is no way for me to calculate it for you without the correct figures from your payslips.
Also remember the 28 rule for the final financial documents, I.E. last payslip/bank statement/employment letter to be dated within 28 days of application date.

Thank you so much for this detailed response, it was very helpful I'm sorry it took me so long to reply.

I hope you don't mind if I ask you or anyone else (who can help) some further questions to clear my confusion.

Questions:
1.) I can see you've used 26 payslips to be provided as a weeekly earner covering a period of 6 months. I'd like to know why they're 26 instead of 24 (going by the calculation 6 months by 4 weeks)
2.) Is it alright to earn a variable income weekly so far as the financial requirement will be met at the end of 6 months? I'm on a zero hour contract so my hours aren't guaranteed.
3.) Is it alright not to have bills in your name like council tax, electricity? I currently live in halls of residence so my rent is all inclusive. I had lived with my parents preveiously so they had all the bills in their names.
4.) With regards to accommodation, is a one bedroom flat adequate for the both of us in light of the UK visa requirements? I'm planning to rent this around January for submission of my spouse visa sometime in March. I hope this wouldn't raise eyebrows?
5.) I'm hoping to complete the online application on behalf of my husband. I'm just confused as to who would submit all the evidences required including the application form. Can I just send everything over to him for submission at his biometric appointment?
6.) What documents would you recommend to start compiling before the date of application?
7.)Do I need to provide both bank statements and payslips to show eveidence for my earnings?
8.)Can someone please advise of the process of application including the list of evidences required of me, if it's not too much to ask for?
9.) Finally, can successful applicants and other knowledgeable individuals drop useful tips for a successful application and pitfalls to avoid.

Thank you all so much in anticipation of your responses

Lexusgs430:
That's fine. I only advised based on the conditions you presented.
I hope you find a better solution.

I hope so too. Thank you

Portsmouth86:
the only way in your current circumstances is if you have savings to meet the requirement.

here's an example to calculate it, with a salary of say £4,230pa

£18,600-£4,230=£14,370
£14,370 x 2.5= £35,925 (the 2.5 is length of visa)
£35,925 +£16,000 =£51,925

you need to add an additional £16000 to any income you fall short so in this example the total savings required is £51,925 held for a minimum of 6 months, this can be a gift to which origin and source can be proved, you cannot use loans of any kind, and any house sales the cash would need to be accessible for a minimum of 6 months.


should you have variable income due to holidays and working more, the calculation would be dependant on how you are paid i.e weekly/fortnightly/4 weekly or monthly, the calculation would be different and you would need to work out an average of your pay ( I can help with the calculations if this helps)

hope this helps

Hi dear, I found your advise very helpful especially the second paragraph as I think it applies to me. Can you shed more light on it please?

I work 45.2 hours per week (I.e £550 after tax)while on holidays which usually lasts between 2-3 months. Also, I get paid weekly. Can you please work that out for me please?

Hopefully, it works out. I'm getting all excited lol