My UK Spouse Visa Journey

Hi British-Filipino community!

I'm Cha and I recently received my Spouse Visa last Oct. 23

I've been on British-Filipino for a while, lurking, posting comments and such. After the announcement of my application and its success, I've been getting quite a few questions re: application and results.

As promised, I would like to help (as much I can, as an applicant and by no means an expert) by posting my UK Spouse Visa Journey.

This post is going to talk about how I gathered and submitted my requirements, and how I received the results.

Disclaimer: I am not an expert on the matter, the format by which I have submitted my documents is not a standard--all cases are different and vary in presentation.

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If you are applying to join family living permanently in the UK, the UKBA website details all the eligibility requirements here.

For my spouse visa application, I had to prove the following (as per UKBA website):

1. That my husband had one of the following--

• British citizenship (my husband is a British citizen so I fall under this category)
• settlement in the UK
• asylum or humanitarian protection in the UK

PROOF: I provided an ORIGINAL copy of my husband's birth certificate, along with a print-out of a scanned copy of his passport front page.

2. I was over 18 years of age

PROOF: I provided an ORIGINAL copy of my birth certificate.

3. My relationship with my husband is genuine and recognized in the UK (that my marriage is legal in the Philippines)

PROOF: We sent original copies of the following documents.

Proof of Marriage
Marriage Certificate
Marriage Contract
Family Planning Certificate
Wedding Invitation
Bridal Shower Photos
Bridal Shower Cards
Wedding Photos (photos were pasted on to short bond paper, 2-3 photos per pad)
Wedding Cards
Wedding Announcement (we had our wedding announced in the local paper in the UK)
Wedding Receipts (venue, wedding rings, catering, etc)

Proof of Meetings (throughout our relationship--from being a couple to after marriage)
Sponsor Plane Tickets
Sponsor Passport Stamps (scanned copy, printed on bond paper)
Meeting Photos (photos were pasted on to short bond paper, 2-3 photos per pad)
Travel Receipts (buses, plane tickets, etc.)
Accommodation Receipts (hotels we stayed in)

Proof of Communication
Call and Messaging Logs >> 15 months worth of communication: We sampled a conversation/call every 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 of each month. We took a screenshot and pasted it on to a Word document, arranged by month
Mail Correspondence >> original letters back and forth from UK to PH with envelope, post office stamps, etc.

4. I intend to continue living with my husband in the UK after I apply

PROOF: We sent original copies of the following documents. More details on the accommodation requirements are, again, on the UKBA website--you just have to be patient and diligent in digging them up.

Scottish Secure Tenancy Agreement
Council Tax Statement
Various Utilities Bills
Proof of Residency
House Floor Plan & Dimensions + photos of the house

5. I have a good knowledge of English (if over 18 years old)

The UKBA website gives you two options: take an approved test, or prove that your academic qualifications are above the requirement. The second one felt like too much hassle so I ended up taking the test.

The list of approved tests can be found here. Make sure to check regularly for updates.

For spouses, you are only required to get an A1 CEFR Level (Google it know what it means haha). The LIFE SKILLS test will check you on that. However, if you want to take an IELTS exam from the UKBA approved list, that's fine too.

I took the IELTS Academic Training Module and got a band score of 8.0 = C1 CEFR Level.

I submitted the ORIGINAL CERTIFICATION that I received from the agency (IDP) where I took my IELTS.

TIP: Make sure to prepare as much as you can for the exam. I think I would have gotten higher had I actually gotten more than a week to actually prepare for it AND I got the flu from traveling to Manila on the day of my exam Oh well, all for the best!

Additional documents that I needed to provide were:

• current passport or other valid travel ID
• previous passports (very important!)
• one passport-sized colour photograph
• proof you can meet the financial requirement or maintenance requirement
• a sponsorship form from my husband in the UK.
  
• tuberculosis test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test (Philippines is in the list!)

(this is from the website)

The following are approved clinics in the Philippines. There are no approved clinics in Palau so if you’re from there you’ll need to travel to the Philippines to be tested.

International Organisation for Migration Health Centre
15th Floor, Units A and B Trafalgar Plaza
105 H.V. dela Costa Street
Salcedo Village
Makati City 1227
Metro Manila
Tel: (632) 883-9339 or (632) 511-8771
Mob: (917) 593-4688 (globe operator) or (919) 993-4667 (smart operator)
Fax: (632) 883-9377

Email: International Organisation for Migration

TB Test Tip: Call for an appointment weeks ahead of your desired date. Make sure you're at the clinic BEFORE 6AM (you have to queue in the lobby of the building first) so you can be done on the day itself. I was at the clinic at 5:30 AM (I was patient #2 even!) and I received my results at 2:30 PM that day.

***I also needed to have a blank page on my passport on which to put the visa.

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So, in short, this is the checklist that I sent!

We fall under CATEGORY A (My husband has been employed in the UK for more than 6 months and earns over 18,600 GBP a year)

I. Applicant’s Details
Passport-Sized Photo
Cover Letter
Birth Certificate
IELTS Results
Tuberculosis Test Results
CFO Certificate (I took the Guidance Counseling course before I got my passport, now I just need to get it stamped before I leave)
Previous Passports

II. Sponsor’s Details
Cover Letter
Form SU07/12 (Sponsorship Undertaking)
Birth Certificate
Passport Front Page (not original)
Proof of Electoral Registry (not required, just sent it in for + points, if ever it had any bearing)

III. Proof of Relationship
Proof of Marriage
Marriage Certificate
Marriage Contract
Family Planning Certificate
Wedding Invitation
Bridal Shower Photos
Bridal Shower Cards
Wedding Photos
Wedding Cards
Wedding Announcement
Wedding Receipts

Proof of Meetings
Sponsor Plane Tickets
Sponsor Passport Stamps
Meeting Photos
Travel Receipts
Accommodation Receipts

Proof of Communication
Call and Messaging Logs
Mail Correspondence

IV. Financial Requirements
Letter of Confirmation from Employer
P60 End of Year Certificate 2014/15
Pay Slips
Bank Statements

V. Proof of Accommodation
Tenancy Agreement
Council Tax Statement
Various Utilities Bills
Proof of Residency
House Floor Plan & Dimensions

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We submitted the requirements in two piles: one original, the other photocopy (make sure the photocopy pile is a duplicate of the original pile).

Submitted documents/Biometrics taken at VFS Manila: September 29, 2015 >> VIP Lounge
Documents forwarded to UK Embassy: September 29, 2015
Received Decision Email from UK Embassy: October 22, 2015
Date Documents arrived via 2GO Courier: October 23, 2015
Result: SUCCESSFUL! Visa Granted!
Total Calendar days from Submission to Visa: 24!
Total Business Days: 17!

As you can see, it didn't come without difficulty for us. It took us months and months to complete and compile everything. I had to take a leave from work at some point just to get all the documents together. Sorry for the overkill of requirements (I know there's a lot of unneeded stuff, but you know what it feels like to not be sure about anything).

I have my obsessive-compulsive disorder genes to thank for the super organization skills.

We were married on April 11, 2015 and my flight is on the first week of December. So we've been apart for more than half a year On the bright side, the worst part is over, and I can't wait to spend Christmas with the love of my life.

So, cheer up! Just take it one day, one requirement at a time. Before you know it, you'll soon be together... *fingers crossed*

All the best,
Cha

Many thanks for putting in all the time and effort to help others.

You're a star.

Well done Cha and many thanks for the detailed post, I'm sure it will help a lot of people

No problem! I'm happy to help. Like I said, I know the feeling of being there and not having a clue, I promised myself if given the chance to get through, I'd like to help others through their journey as well!

As we say in Filipino: Sino pa ba ang magtutulungan, kung hindi tayo-tayo rin lang?

Cheers!

Thanks, Timmers! Happy to help

Good job
Well done and thanks for the effort

Well done, Cha! Thank you.

Brill! thanks for this

Thanks for all that User0001 and congrats again on your good news.

Bravo!

Thanks for posting, Cha.

Thanks for this..
This will help us a lot as I am going to apply for a spouse visa soon

Congrats and good luck for a new life in UK

Thanks, @Micawber @Methersgate @florgeW @deanobeano @Anne @eliz!

Sorry I haven't been online too much lately--trying to get all my stuff together for the move.

But if you guys have any questions, buzz me here and I'll get back to you as soon as I can!

Thank you for posting this. Great help!!! Hurray!!

As someone who is hoping to get a fiancée visa for my girl friend later this year, it very helpful information greatly appreciated. Enjoy the UK, apart from our funny weather a wonderful place to live, happy new year to you and your husband

Thanks again, everyone! In the UK now! Enjoying time with the Hubby... And job-hunting as well (not much luck so far)!

Welcome to the UK, Cha.

Don't worry, you'll get a job before you know it.

I missed this well constructed thread on the path to getting to the UK. Excellent and the English score is very admirable. Thank you Cha.

Sounds really good advice. One question - my wife is in the Philippines I'm in the uk so any documents I send her will be scanned copies of the originals. Do you think it's okay to send scanned copies of things like my wage slips, bank statements and things like that. My wife will provide original copies of wedding certificate and all her documents will be original. Thanks for the post

Personally I would not do that.
There are folks who will tell you they did it and secured a visa. But that was very luckily secured despite being non-compliant not because of.
UKVI stipulate that payslips and bank statements must be originals and not copies.
Any refusal on the basis on on-compliance concerning that would rather difficult to appeal against.

Originals can easily be sent securely by DHL or similar.
Do everything you can to remain compliant and minimise risks

Thanks for that. My wage slips and bank statements are election anyway. Even in original format - I was thinking of getting them stamped accompanied by a letter starring the fact they are genuine. Now I'm just a little nervous as what to do. Congratulations by the way for your visa