Bibra800:
Hi Steelyman,
If I remember correctly , you applied with your wife from lagos yes? Did you provide the self addressed prepaid envelope?

@bibra800, yes I posted all docs from Lagos. My sister sent the SAE separately from London with a cover letter that I had scanned to her which included my details (GWF, DOB, etc). It was sent by RM, tracked and signed for. They never emailed me to ask for an SAE, which gives me the impression they received it and attached it to my application accordingly.

Or are there ever cases where they don't receive the SAE and don't bother to email? Should I send another SAE?

I sent an email to them and they responded asking for a full list of all items that were missing. I sent that and they said they would escalate. That was on 19 May. Nothing since.

I will probably chase them by email — hopefully I don't have to pay this new £5.48 charge they have just invented. This is terribly disappointing.

SteelyMan:


Meanwhile, I still have not received my documents back o! This is quite strange. I have emailed the international enquiry service and provided all my information to them, and they say they have "escalated" the matter. I'm quite worried because I know Home Office (and UKVI by extension) often misplace docs (even passports). With the exception of my birth certificate and passport, these people have more or less every important document in my life!

Anyone else had this experience? Those who received passports back in the last 2-3 weeks, did you all receive your supporting docs? Any delays at all? Anyone with any wisdom as to how to trace and retrieve my docs?

Folks, any wisdom here?

AdimO1:
To the GURU's in the house: please as regards this, "Where Appendix FM-SE requires the applicant to provide specified evidence relating to
a period which ends with the "date of application", that evidence must be dated no earlier
than 28 days before the date of application."

Does the date of application mean "the date you submitted online application" OR the date you go for " biometric appointment? "

Anticipating your response.
Thanks

I'm inclined to believe that it refers to the biometrics date, considering that the confirmation email you receive after biometrics says "Your online application has been received in Sheffield, UK". They do not send this confirmation when you submit online. Best to err on the side of caution by assuming biometrics date because it would ensure that the date on your documents is suitable by either interpretation.

SteelyMan:
Visa Timeline

11/03/17 - Online application (submitted and fully paid)
17/03/17 - Biometrics appointment at TLS VI
17/03/17 - Supporting documents posted from Lagos via DHL
20/03/17 - Response from UKVI Sheffield confirming receipt of application
20/03/17 - DHL delivery date for supporting documents
28/04/17 - Application Assessed email from TLScontact
28/04/17 - Application Ready for Collection email from TLScontact
xx/xx/xx - Supporting documents returned in UK
02/05/17 - Passport collected
18/05/17 - Date visa valid from

Strangely, I am unable to track the prepaid envelope on Royal Mail with the ref number I have. I just keep getting a "Please come back later" status message. But, I imagine that if UKVI had problems with the prepaid envelope they would have emailed me by now, so I have no reason to worry.

Meanwhile, I still have not received my documents back o! This is quite strange. I have emailed the international enquiry service and provided all my information to them, and they say they have "escalated" the matter. I'm quite worried because I know Home Office (and UKVI by extension) often misplace docs (even passports). With the exception of my birth certificate and passport, these people have more or less every important document in my life!

Anyone else had this experience? Those who received passports back in the last 2-3 weeks, did you all receive your supporting docs? Any delays at all? Anyone with any wisdom as to how to trace and retrieve my docs?

Bibra800:
Congratulations ! And thanks for posting .What day did you state that you intended to travel on your application please?

Thanks. I put my travel date as 29 May...don't ask why. I wish I hadn't. That's why the "valid from" is so far away. Looks like they try to give you a month of validity around your travel date, so be aware of that.

Submitted Documents

Evidence of English Language Requirement

1. MSc certificate (original & photocopy)
2. Academic transcript (original & photocopy)

Evidence of Relationship Requirement

3. Collection of photographs from holidays and special occasions (six A4 pages containing 25 images)
4. September 2014 letter from John Lewis regarding our wedding gift list (original & photocopy)
5. Photocopy of my wife’s British passport (photocopy only)
6. Photocopy of my daughter’s British passport (photocopy only)
7. Invitation card to our traditional wedding ceremony (original & photocopy)
8. Invitation card to our Christian wedding ceremony (original & photocopy)
9. Marriage certificate (original & photocopy)
10. Birth certificate of our daughter (photocopy only)
11. Letter from our church in Lagos regarding the baptism of our daughter in London (photocopy only)
12. Baptism certificate of our daughter (photocopy only)
13. Lease agreement for our home in Lagos (original & photocopy)
14. My bank account statement — highlighted to show joint contribution to rent expense for the period April 2016 – March 2017 in respect of our flat in Lagos (original & photocopy)

Evidence of Financial Requirement (Sponsor’s Documents)

15. Reference letter from employer in Lagos
16. Pay slips for the period September 2016 – February 2017 (original & photocopy)
17. Bank account statement — highlighted to show salary payments for the period September 2016 – February 2017 (original & photocopy)
18. Employment contract for prospective job in UK (original & photocopy)
19. Stipend award agreement from prospective UK employer in the amount of £19,200 per year for 18 months (original & photocopy)
20. Proof of student status at Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) (printed copy only)
21. UK bank account statement — highlighted to show receipt of stipend for February 2017 in the amount of £1,600 (original & photocopy)

Evidence of Suitable Accommodation

22. Tenancy agreement for lease of a flat in London — indicating landlord’s agreement to lease the flat to my wife and me (original & photocopy)
23. Internal photographs of the flat

Other Documents

24. MBA degree certificate — to prove (along with my MSc degree certificate) professional competence to work in the UK (original & photocopy)
25. TB Certificate (original & photocopy)

Visa Timeline

11/03/17 - Online application (submitted and fully paid)
17/03/17 - Biometrics appointment at TLS VI
17/03/17 - Supporting documents posted from Lagos via DHL
20/03/17 - Response from UKVI Sheffield confirming receipt of application
20/03/17 - DHL delivery date for supporting documents
28/04/17 - Application Assessed email from TLScontact
28/04/17 - Application Ready for Collection email from TLScontact
xx/xx/xx - Supporting documents returned in UK
02/05/17 - Passport collected
18/05/17 - Date visa valid from

Strangely, I am unable to track the prepaid envelope on Royal Mail with the ref number I have. I just keep getting a "Please come back later" status message. But, I imagine that if UKVI had problems with the prepaid envelope they would have emailed me by now, so I have no reason to worry.

Picked up my passport today with visa endorsed. Finally, I exhale. Tipping my hat to all who have shared on this platform — the knowledge here is invaluable. Thank you.

Will post timeline and submitted docs in a few hours...currently typing from my phone.

tosine:
I just picked up my visa.

Oh wow. Congratulations!! Got me swiping my email every half hour now.

All the best.

tosine:
@SteelyMan, same response I got from the UK Visas and Immigration International Enquiry. I have a feeling it's an automated response.

@Tosine, the post above gives me the impression that they at least have started processing our applications, given that Ikihin heard from UKVI as recently as April 13/14 (as implied in his message). Since we have not received any communication asking for further docs or clarification, I can only assume the best. Speculating serves no purpose, but it's hard not to wonder what the heck must be going on...

tosine:
@SteelyMan Any update yet?

@Tosine, they responded to my inquiry saying that my application had not yet been processed and assuring me that it would be treated as priority if I paid for priority. It read like a template response. So, still waiting. Any movement on your end?

desproof:
Good day everyone. I have been a silent follower of this thread, pls permit me to ask some questions or provide links if already answered. I have read and read and can't find any applicable to me:
My husband is British and so are our kids.
We plan on relocating to the UK hence the spousal.
How do I meet the financial requirement if my spouse lives here in Nigeria with me without having £62,500? The £18,600 naira equivalent does it have to be in the sponsor's account for 6 months prior to application?
Pls help me, this is the hurdle.

Hi @desproof,

I wonder if you have found a solution yet? You and I are in similar situations: my British spouse and I both live in Nigeria (together) and plan to relocate to the UK this year. Most people seem to be unaware of how the rules apply in cases such as ours, as such cases are quite uncommon.

Here's what you need to know with respect to the financial requirement in your case:

1. Your spouse needs to be earning the equivalent of £18,600 (or more) in his/her current job here in Nigeria (UKVI will convert at the rate quoted on oanda.com). You will need to provide the "specified evidence" to show proof of this. Ideally, your spouse should have been earning at this level for at least 6 months in the same job. If he/she has not been in the same job overseas for up to 6 months, the requirements become more complex, so better to stay put until you have 6 months of historical income to show.

2. In combination with the above, your spouse needs to have a job offer in the UK to begin work within 3 months of his/her planned arrival following the family's relocation. This UK job must be paying at least £18,600 also. You must provide the "specified evidence" to show proof of this.

*specified evidence means that they have outlined documentary evidence that you must provide in order to satisfy the requirement. Wherever you see this term, this should be your understanding.

To be clear - if you can meet the above, you do not require a single penny in savings. If not, then savings is your only choice. You will need to have the savings sat for 6 months in an account held by you or your spouse. The balance on this account must not be drawn below the £62,500 threshold at any point during the 6-month period. If you cannot meet any of the above, then your spouse must return to the UK without you and work for 6 months earning at least £18,600 before bringing you over.

Though I completed my application myself, I received legal advice from two separate lawyers who both provided some guidance in my approach. While I have not yet received a decision from the UKVI, I can assure you that this based on a clear understanding of their regulations.

For reference:

Appendix FM
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-fm-family-members
- paragraph E-ECP 3.2(a)

Appendix FM-SE (if you are not using a lawyer, you need to read Appendix FM-SE thoroughly several times over to fully understand your options)
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-fm-se-family-members-specified-evidence
- paragraphs 3 & 4
- paragraph 13(c)

Hope this helps.

tosine:
Hello @SteelyMan, I applied via priority and still no feedback yet. Its almost a month since I did my biometrics. Anyways, I'm patiently waiting for the good news.

@Tosine, I'm guessing it might be a busy period for them. I emailed an inquiry via https://ukvi-international.faq-help.com/. They say to expect a response in 24 hours, but I have not heard back from them yet — 48 hours and counting.

tosine:
Hello @SteelyMan, I applied via priority and still no feedback yet. Its almost a month since I did my biometrics. Anyways, I'm patiently waiting for the good news.

Same here! All the best to you.

tosine:
I think some people do get an email confirming the receiving of supporting documents from Sheffield, I'm not too sure about that.
Anyways we shall rejoice over the good news of our settlement visa soonest. Amen.

Hi Tosine, just checking in - did you apply via priority? Any feedback yet, other than the standard acknowledgement email? Thanks.

tosine:
I applied on the 15th of March, almost the same time as yours. Have you received any email with regards to Sheffield receiving your supporting documents?

I sent my supporting docs on Tuesday and it was delivered the next day by royal mail, I am yet to receive an email to confirm my documents have been received in Sheffield. I only got an email that my online application was received which was before I sent my documents.

17 March was actually my biometrics appointment date and I posted my docs the same day via DHL. I received an email confirming receipt of my online application on 20 March. I have received nothing else, but DHL tracking reveals that they have received my supporting docs. It appears they do not acknowledge receipt of anything beyond the biometrics.

Another question, for all that applied and received their visas, was your visa valid-from date based on your stated intended travel date?

I ask because I stated my travel date as 25 May. However, I applied on 17 March and paid for priority. If I get my passport back as early as late April, I would gladly up and leave long before 25 May.

Whah do you all think about this?

Fynebouy:


I only gave responses based on My own experiences. You are expected to synthesize all information here and reach a conclusion which you think will best serve your purpose. I earn well so I provided my details. Did it help, I don't know but I was not rejected on financial grounds.

I was reject on the one area in which I didn't provide a lot of documentation and that was to prove genuiness of relationship. In my appeal, based on info gotten here, I went for an information over kill or overload and suffice to say the refusal was withdrawn and we didn't get to court.

My advice to anyone, provide as much documentation as you can in all areas.

And yes, send your additional additional documents as soon as you can.

Yeah I get you. Thanks!

Tadelov:
I didnt submit any document to prove that i was working or earning salary,i simply out self employed under the question of employment and didnt submit any document to show for it as i was the applicant and all documents of finances where the ones from my husband who was the sponsor so i dont think you need to.i got the visa.hope this helps

Definitely does! Thank you.

Thanks @fynebuoy. Sorry, just to clarify, I have already submitted my application and posted my supporting docs. So in Question 4 I was asking if they would consider additional supporting docs if I posted them now (having already posted the first batch).

Also, my wife is the sponsor, not me. Under (B) I was explaining how she meets the financial requirement. In Question 5 I was asking if I need to prove my own financial capacity. From what I understand, the burden of proof is on the sponsor, so I don't understand why other applicants include all their own financial history (pay slips, account statements, company docs, property deeds, etc) when their sponsor has already met the financial requirement.

One final Q -

Do the passport photos need to have my name at the back? Their guidance states "unmarked on both sides". Is there anyone that didn't write their name and get refused for that reason?

Open tab at 805 for useful responses (in case no ginger)

Hmm...my post a bit too long-winded?

Sorry, the last question was cut short. Here's the final bit of it...

But I did not include my own bank statements (other than for the purpose of proving joint contribution to rent, which should imply joint residence). Is this an issue?

Thanks to everyone.

Hi all,

Well done to everyone that has contributed here. I've recently been following and have read through much of the history. I've also googled the site to learn from anyone who compiled their application in the way that I've done mine but didn't find anything, so I decided to tell my story, having now submitted my application. Here's what we did differently (and some questions, hoping you all can share some wisdom):

A. Relationship requirement.

My British spouse and I have lived together since our wedding two years ago. We have a daughter that was born in London and is British. We all live together in Lagos. We provided all the usual bits of evidence of our relationship: marriage certificate, numerous photos, invitations cards (trad & white), passport photocopies (wife and daughter) , including our lease agreement in Lagos and snippets (as in, not full 6-month) of my bank statements and hers to show joint contribution to rent. However, we did not submit any proof of correspondence, as from my understanding this only applies to couples that do not live together or are not married. It just didn't seem to make sense to me that a married couple that lives together would need to prove that they talk to each other.

B. Financial requirement.

My spouse works here in Lagos. The UKVI rules (section E-ECP 3.2(a) of appendix FM and paragraph 13(c) of appendix FM-SE) applicable to her require that she prove historical income (including salary) of £18,600 and a job offer in the UK which will commence within 3 months of arrival and paying at least £18,600. Meeting the job offer requirement was simple enough. But the historical income of £18,600 was trickier as her salary from her current job in Nigeria falls short of that. Fortunately, her future UK employer also offered her a stipend to support study for a professional qualification. The stipend alone exceeds £18,600 and is payable for 18 months, including a period of 12 months beyond the date of my application. Based on UKVI rules (paragraph 20(f) of appendix FM-SE), we are able to count this stipend as income earned in the 12-month period prior to the date of my application. Thus, she was able to meet the financial requirement in this manner. We provided all required items of the specified evidence.

C. Accommodation requirement.

As we live in Lagos, the only way we could prove that we have adequate accommodation in the UK is to lease a flat. We were able to negotiate a lease agreement for a 1-bed place commencing shortly after our planned date of arrival in the UK. The landlord put both our names and passport numbers (my Nigerian and her British) on the lease. As such, we did not get a letter from the landlord consenting to my stay in the flat, since the lease agreement explicitly and legally allows me to be resident there. We included the lease agreement and photographs of the flat in the application.

D - Some additional observations.

Teleperformance in VI no longer collect any supporting documents. They only accepted the front page of my application, my priority fee payment receipt, and photocopies of the pages of my previous passport (apparently you need to have these photocopies done before you arrive at the venue since they no longer collect previous passports for risk of loss). All other documents, including the TB certificate, were posted from Lagos in one pack.

E - Another comment.

I answered incorrectly to the question about my English language exemption — I put yes, instead of no because I misunderstood the question. By the time I caught this error, it was too late to correct it because I had already spent over £2200 on all the fees. I made a correction on the printed form and explained the error in my cover letter. I included my UK MSc certificate as evidence of meeting the this requirement. Hopefully, they don't make an issue of this. If they do, then lesson learned.


Questions:

1 - Do you guys think I should still go ahead and submit transcripts of correspondence?
2 - Should we still get a letter from the landlord and send to UKVI?
3 - Rereading paragraph (4) of appendix FM-SE (having submitted my application) confuses me a bit. One interpretation is that it is it asking for either of (i) a letter from the company mentioning all the necessary bits of info OR (ii) a letter from the company accompanied by a contract of employment. In this interpretation, a letter is required in either case. Another interpretation is that it is asking for either of (i) a letter from the company mentioning all the necessary bits of info OR (ii) a contract of employment. In this interpretation, the contract is an alternative to the letter. Our interpretation was the latter, so we sent only the contract, not the letter. Was our interpretation incorrect?
4 - Does UKVI accept additional documents sent subsequent to the initial pack already submitted (but still within the 2-week window)?
5 - I note that some people include evidence of the applicant's financial and professional competence, even though the rules do not require this. I had mentioned the line of work I am in and that I intend to continue this work in the UK, so I included my MBA certificate to support this. But I did not include my own bank statements (other than for the purpose of proving joint

For reference:

Appendix FM - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-fm-family-members
Appendix FM-SE - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-fm-se-family-members-specified-evidence

PS: apologies for the long post — just wanting to contribute something meaningful to this treasure trove.