BEFORE STARTING YOUR APPLICATIONS, MEMBERS ARE
RECOMMENDED TO DOUBLE CHECK EACH INFORMATION
ENTERED IN THE APPLICATION FORM BECAUSE ONCE YOU HAVE
REACHED THE PAGE FOR PAYING IHS SURCHAGE FEE, YOU WILL
NOT BE ABLE TO AMEND OR EDIT YOUR ANSWERS EXCEPT TO
START AGAIN DEPENDING ON TYPE OF MISTAKES IT WAS.
 
MEMBERS WHO ARE APPLYING WITH A DEPENDENT CHILD WILL
NEED TO FILL SEPARATE APPLICATION SO FOR EXAMPLE, THE
APPLICANT WIL CLICK ON APPENDIX PARTNER AND SEPARATE
APPLICATION FOR APPENDIX CHILD WILL BE FILLED SEPARATELY
ALTHOUGH YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PAY IHS SURCHAGE FEE
DURING THE DEPENDENT CHILD APPLICATION BUT SPONSOR WILL
BE SENT AN EMAIL TO MAKE THE PAYMENT AT A FUTURE DATE
SO DO NOT BE CONCERNED.
 
Here is the link GOV WEBSITE link to apply spouse visa
 
https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/apply-visa-type/appendixfm?
_ga=2.233797726.1131006309.1569665962-1440274265.1510500116
 
Select Appendix Partner

Applicants will need to enter the country which they’re applying from or
country which they currently reside and at the end of the application form, they
will be directed to their respective commercial partner (VFS OR TLS) where
they will need to submit their biometrics & their supporting documents
depending on the type of service you choose either to SELF UPLOAD or
submit supporting documents at their local VACS or Sponsor can submit them
in the UK.
 
The processing of application varies from countries to countries so it will be
worth checking with your local commercial partner in your respective country.
 
FAO: DO NOT SEND ANY SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS TO
SHEFFIELD AS IT WILL BE REJECTED AND RETURNED BACK TO
YOU THUS DELAYING YOUR APPLICATION PROCESSING TIME
EXCEPTION OF APPLICANTS FROM CUBA SEE LINK
 
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cuba-apply-for-a-uk-visa/how-to-apply-for-a-
uk-visa-in-cuba

1. PREPARE ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS AND IT IS DEFINITENLY

RECOMMENDED NOT TO SUBMIT YOUR DOCUMENTS UNTIL YOU
HAVE ALL PAPER WORK READY.
2. FILL APPLICATION FORM ON GOV WEBSITE
3. PAY FOR HIS SURCHAGE FEE
4. PAY FOR THE APPLICATION FEE
5. REGISTER WITH THE VAC EITHER TLS OR VFS
6. SELECT WHICH OPTION FOR DOCUMENTS SUBMISSION EITHER
SELF UPLOADING(RECOMMENDED) OR ASSSISTED UPLOADING
(FOR A FEE). DUE TO THE CURRENT PANDEMIC, PLEASE READ TLS
OR VFS FOR MORE INFORMATION WITH REGARDS TO ASSISTED
SCANNING.
Successful applications require READING, RESEARCHING AND
ORGANISING YOUR SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS.
 
  
GOLD RULE TO ANY VISA APPLICATION, DO NOT COMPARE YOUR
APPLICATION WITH SOMEONE ELSE BECAUSE NO TWO
APPLICATIONS ARE THE SAME!

FAO: DO NOT SEND ANY SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS TO

SHEFFIELD AS IT WILL BE REJECTED AND RETURNED BACK TO
YOU THUS DELAYING YOUR APPLICATION PROCESSING TIME
EXCEPTION OF CUBA APPLICANTS WHO MUST SEND
DOCUMENTS TO SHEFFIELD FOR THEIR PROCESSING.

SPOUSE VISA CHECKLIST 2021

SECTION 1: APPLICATION FORMS
1. Print Application form online
2. Payment confirmation
3. IHS fee confirmation
4. Priority Payment Confirmation (If you applied using priority)
5. VAF4A Appendix 2(still recommended to fill)

VAF4A-Appendix2-08-18.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)

SECTION 2: ENGLISH LANGUAGE EVIDENCE

 There are 3 ways to meet the English Language requirement.
1. Degree certificate from a UK university or your country is among the
nationals who are exempted doing English language test.
2. Generally many people applying for a spouse visa do IELTS because it is the
most commonly used English test for an entry clearance application.
 
IELTS Life Skills Minimum is A1 for initial spouse visa application from
abroad but many applicants do highest test like B1 which can be used for future
applications such as FLR & ILR.
 
Here is the direct link to book your English test.
UKVI - United Kingdom (ielts.org)
https://www.languagecert.org/uk-visa-exams
Pearson English Language Test | PTE Academic (pearsonpte.com)
 
3. UK NARIC for degrees outside the UK with original degree certificate and
letter from the university that the course was taught in English.
Direct link to apply for a NARIC for your degree.
Visas and Nationality Services (ecctis.com)
 

SECTION 3: RELATIONSHIP DOCUMENT

The HO does not have a comprehensive list of what evidence is required to
show proof of genuine and subsisting relationship. The onus is on the individual
applicant to ensure they have demonstrated to the caseworker that they are in a
genuine and subsisting relationship depending on their own individual
circumstances. Some couples have been married and have lived apart for a long
time so they need to provide extensive evidence to show their relationship is
genuine. See the list below to see what you can provide.

1. Cover letter (Can be written by either you or sponsor or both).

2. Children’s birth certificates (if you have children together).

3. Pictures throughout relationship e.g. 2 to 3 from each visit and the same from
the wedding and it is always helpful to write a captions including dates and
location of where pictures was taken.

4. WhatsApp, Facebook, Viber, etc. whatever means of communication you

have, take 3-4 screenshot each month using Microsoft word, PowerPoint, &
Microsoft publisher(a free trial is available). For example, 1, 7, 15 and 30 can fit
1 page x 12= 12 pages equal 1 year of the screenshot. If couples have been
together for a very long time then a TIMELINE of their relationship such as
when you met each other, time spent together, holidays, communication when
you were apart and include a caption of the location, dates & event.

5. Sponsor Bio data page of the passport. (Mandatory)

6. Sponsor Entry and exit stamps from. Some sponsor has dual citizenship then
if they are using their other passports to travel to their respective country to see
their partner then a copy of their other passports as well as any exit and entry
stamps to show proof of VISITS.

7. Flight email bookings/Boarding pass (convert them into A4 paper) (if

possible but optional).
8. Money transfer receipts.

9. Evidence of shared responsibilities Joint Bank accounts, Savings in Joint

name, utility Bills in both names.

9. Proof of living together abroad together such as Tenancy agreement,

Mortgage Statements, Utility bills are all a strong proof.
10. Letter from Friends and Families DOES not carry any weight in front
of the casework and they are totally ignored so it is not needed.

11. Instagram/ Facebook posts showing both couples including likes &
comments etc.

12. Emails & Birthday cards exchange.

In Summary, the burden of proof is always on the applicant depending on what

type of evidence they are able to provide to show their relationship is genuine.
Some couples have stronger evidence than others for example: couples who
have lived together in the past can show evidence of cohabitation while some
have never lived together so therefore their evidence is not as strong however
they can show evidence of ongoing genuine and subsisting relationship by
showing means of how they keep in touch so recommendation in form of chats,
WhatsApp and skype etc.
 
Members should be aware that TLS or VFS are not responsible for decision
making and don’t care if your application is REFUSED so restrictions of 10
photographs & 10 chats history is not enough in my view. It is recommended to
do SELF UPLOAD as there are no restrictions or limit as to how much
supporting documents you can upload but if you are using TLS or VFS scanning
hub then restrictions may apply. There’s guidance or how to upload documents
yourself it is generally recommended to reduce the size of the file using
iLovePDF | Online PDF tools for PDF lovers
 
SECTION 4: FINANCIAL REQUIREMNT EVIDENCE
CATEGORY A SALARIED/NON-SALARIED

UK SPOUSE SETTLEMENT VISA | Facebook CAT A SALARIED

UK SPOUSE SETTLEMENT VISA | Facebook CAT A NON SALARIED
 
 If you have been with your employer for 6 months or more and your annual
salary is fixed then you will apply under CAT A salaried while if you have been
with your the employer for 6 months or more and you are paid per hour or based
on hours worked or your salary each month varies then you will apply under
CAT A Non salaried although you can also apply as CAT B variable
income depending on your circumstances.
 
Under CAT A salaried/ non salaried, you will need to submit payslips in the
period of 6 months.
 
On GOV.website: You will select the same amount continuously, but above the
financial requirement as choosing not the same amount will ask you for 12
months from current and previous employer (This option should be for
members applying under CAT B where payslips in the period of 12 months is
required in my view). If you’re applying under CAT A Salaried/Non-salaried, I
will recommend applicants to do a spreadsheet to show ECO how they meet the
requirement in section 5 of Appendix 2 and in your cover letter.
 

1. 6 months bank statements (Bank statement sent through the post is fine and
electronic bank statements will need to be stamped on every pages or letter from
the banks confirming them to be genuine)
2. 6 months’ payslips (if payslips are original then no need to stamp but if
payslips are electronic then either employer stamp them or write in your
employment letter that the payslips are genuine).
3. Employment contract (optional)
4. Employer's letter (person’s employment, gross salary, length of employment,
the period which they have been paid & type of employment (permanent, fixed-
term contract, or agency)
5. P60 is not mandatory as it doesn't reflect the period which you have been
paid.
 
All of the above financial document MUST not be older 28 days prior the date
you submit your application online. So always check the date your documents
are issued (see more using the search bar for 28 days rule)
 
UK SPOUSE SETTLEMENT VISA | Facebook
 
CATEGORY B SALARIED/NON-SALARIED
If you have been less than 6 months or at least 6 months with your current
employer then you can apply as CAT B.
 

(You must fulfil 2 conditions under CAT B salaried/Non-salaried) read the

financial requirement thoroughly before using this Category

 
Please see file section of the group for CAT B explanations.

(1) UK SPOUSE SETTLEMENT VISA | Facebook

 
1. Payslips covering the periods of 12 months.
2. Bank Statements covering the periods of 12 months
3. Employment Letter.
4. Employment contract (optional)
5. Employment letter
6. P60 (Recommended under CAT B)
 
CATEGORY C NON EMPLOYMENT INCOME
“The specified non-employment income which the applicant’s partner and/or
the applicant have received in the 12 months prior to the date of application
can be counted towards the financial requirement”
The document required will depend on which non employment you are using
towards meeting the financial requirement or combining it with other category.
For more information Please read
Appendix FM 1.7 Financial Requirement (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Documents required Immigration Rules Appendix FM-SE: family members specified
evidence - Immigration Rules - Guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
 
CATEGORY D SAVINGS
1. 6 months bank statements
2. Declaration of source of funds are needed (There’s a sample in the file
section of the group).
 
Please note under this saving category it requires further evidence if the savings
is derived from sale of house OR it is savings from stocks, investment etc See
Immigration Rules Appendix FM-SE: family members specified evidence - Immigration
Rules - Guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
 
CATEGORY E PENSION
“The annual pension income may be counted where the pension has become a
source of income at least 28 days prior to the application”
The gross amount of pension to be received throughout the whole year will be
counted towards the financial requirement.
“The gross amount of any State (UK or foreign), occupational or private
pension received by the applicant’s partner or the applicant in the 12 months
prior to the date of application”
 

e) To evidence a pension:
1.    (i) Official documentation from:
1.    (1) The Department for Work and Pensions (in respect of
the Basic State Pension and the Additional or Second State
Pension) or other government department or agency, including
the Veterans Agency;
2.    (2) An overseas pension authority; or
3.    (3) A pension company,
4.    Confirming pension entitlement and amount (and, where
applicable, reflecting any funds withdrawn from the pension
account or fund).
2.    (ii) At least one personal bank statement in the 12-month
period prior to the date of application showing payment of the
pension into the person’s account.
 
CATEGORY F/G  SELF EMPLOYMENT
This is a very complicated ways of meeting the financial requirement so
thorough research is needed to ensure you have read the guidance in order to
understood its requirements. CAT F is the most recent financial year while CAT
G means the average of the last 2 financial years. The amount received during
the most recent financial meanings NET PROFIT received during that financial
year. CAT F Director or Employee of a limited company will apply on their
income earned during the financial year as covered by CT600.
 
The list of documentation requires are mentioned in Appendix FM-SE
Immigration Rules Appendix FM-SE: family members specified evidence - Immigration
Rules - Guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Appendix FM 1.7 Financial Requirement (publishing.service.gov.uk)
 

SECTION 5: ACCOMMODATION EVIDENCE

 
OWNED PROPERTY
1. Land registry documents
2. Mortgage statement
3. Council tax bill(Optional)
4. Pictures of the house. (Optional)
 
RENTED

1. Tenancy agreement.
2. Letter from landlord (stating number of bedrooms, number of occupants, and
number of people the property accommodates.
3. Council tax Bill(Optional)
 
SHARED ACCOMODATION/HMO

1. Tenancy agreement
2. Letter from Landlord
3. Inspection report (It is recommended to do a housing /inspection report to
show the property is adequate and not overcrowded). A reputable estate agent,
Council or Chartered surveyor can do one.
4. Council tax Bill (Optional)

SPONSORED LIVING WITH PARENTS

Title deeds/Land registry

Mortgage statements
Letter from parents
Council tax(Optional)
 
SECTION 6 ADDITIONAL

TB test certificate (NOT EVERY APPLICANT REQUIRES A TB TEST SO

CHECK IF YOUR COUNTRY IS AMONG THE LIST AND ALSO TB TEST
MUST BE VALID AT THE DATE OF THE APPLICATION). SEE LIST
https://www.gov.uk/tb-test-visa
 
HOW CAN I SUBMIT MY SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS?
Submitting supporting documents will determine your local commercial partner
either TLS or VFS.
 
If you applied on Access UK WEBSITE, you can self-upload all your
supporting documents (Instructions on how to self-upload is in the file section
of the group either for TLS or VFS). If you’re opting for self-uploading then it
is recommended you upload all your supporting documents prior you attend
your biometrics appointment

Or

You can use the assisted document services where you can take your supporting
documents to your local commercial partner to scan it for you (Beware that each
country varies as some countries are not equipped to scan supporting documents
so it will be worth paying your local commercial partner a visits to find out or
ask any member in the group on how they submit their supporting documents).
OR
You can take your supporting documents to scan at one of VFS OR TLS
scanning hub in the UK (All supporting documents MUST in photocopies black
& white and it is also recommended to take your original supporting documents
with you in case the photocopies you did are not clear enough. and the cost is
£75 or You can send your supporting documents to TLS hubs to scan it for you
and documents be coloured. (THIS OPTION IS NOW DONE VIA ROYAL
MAIL SEE LINK BELOW)

DOCUMENTS YOU NEED AT THE BIOMETRICS

Original Passport and if members are opting for “keep my passport” You will
need to scanned all your full passport pages.
Appointment confirmation
Checklist
Proof of payment
Copy of online form

TLS Documents Upload Guide (tlscontact.com)

VFS Supporting documents for a visa application (vfsglobal.co.uk)

A SUCCESSFUL SPOUSE VISA APPLICATION WILL BE GRANTED FOR

33 MONTHS IN FORM OF A BRP. YOU WILL FIRST BE GRANTED A
VIGNETTE OF 90 DAYS AT THE MOMENT DUE TO THE CURRENT
PANDEMIC ALTHOUGH IT IS NORMALLY 30 DAYS WHICH WILL
ALLOW YOU TO TRAVEL TO THE UK AND PICK UP YOUR BRP
AFTER SELF ISOLATING! IT’S ALSO A GOOD IDEA IF YOUR
SPONSOR CAN CHECK WITH THE POST OFFICE WHETHER YOUR
BRP CARD HAS ARRIVED INSTEAD OF WAITING TILL YOU HAVE
COMPLETED YOUR ISOLATION.