Last few things to sort out

After 3 years together we finally got married. With all the help from people here, it made the process of travelling over to Makati so much easier.. The whole process turned out to be a lot easier that I imagined.

Now.. I'm back for my help and advice lol. We're both in final stage of her applying for her spouse visa, but I'm a little confused about a couple of things.

1st one is regarding accommodation. I'm currently living with my parents and she will come to join me here as we have done some modifications to the home. Now, this is where I'm not sure what is needed for the visa application. The mortgage is fully paid off, so what documents do I need to provide?

2nd point - Employment letter. I was sent an offer of employment from my boss via email which I still have. The only things is... It's not on headed company paper. Do I need to ask for one? I have all my payslips too.

3rd - Financial requirements. I currently earn £16,300 but I have savings of over £25k which have been in my bank for over 7 months. My concern is... We found out that we're expecting our 1st child, so will my savings need to be higher even though the child hasn't been born yet? lol

Gaz

Regarding your accommodation it will be best to get a survey done to prove to the UKVI that there is no overcrowding and there will be enough room for the three of you. You will also need a letter from your parents stating that you are welcome to stay there, if you are officially going to be renting from your parents I would include the tenancy agreement too, if there is no tenancy agreement then I would get your parents to include that you do not have to pay rent in their letter.

From your employer you need a letter on company headed paper stating how long you have worked for the company, your salary, how long you have been paid that salary for and whether your position in temporary or permanent. You will also need six months payslips (signed by Manager if possible) and six months bank statements to tie in with the wage slips.

@bigmac will help you with the financial requirements, he is our resident mathematician, I know you will be aiming for £22,400

Congratulations on the baby by the way.

Hi Timmers,

Is a survey really necessary? It's a 4 bedroom detached house in Surrey. So even with 4 people staying here, there are still 2 extra spare bedrooms?

I will ask my boss tomorrow for the letter. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

You certainly need prove to the UKVI that the house can accommodate all of you, without that proof you risk having your application declined.

We both know that the house can accommodate you, common sense tells us that, unfortunately the UKVI doesn't have any common sense and everything has to be spelt out to them, include a survey then you don't have to worry about it

Ok fair enough.. How much would a survey cost?

Im not sure of this Gaz but you could try writing to your local council and asking about occupancy on that property

Not sure of the cost, @Maharg will give you an idea, see the link below, it gives a rough idea of what is required. The only reason I am suggesting a survey is because you are sharing a home, at least this way there definitely will not be any comeback, its an expensive process as you know and you do not want to give the UKVI any excuse to turn down your application.

http://www.foxtrotsurveys.co.uk/residential/home-office-survey.html

@@bigmac will help you with the financial requirements, he is our resident mathematician, I know you will be aiming for £22,400

that figure sounds about right--but its important you get your wife over here before the new arrival arrives !--or you will need another visa app--and your earnings requirement will jump up--and therefore your savings figure..

ECOs are not necessarily British ....

A survey isnt strictly necessary. No. Ultimately it might be the best form of evidence, but there are other alternatives.

If you own it, how about using an estate agents sales sheet, with description, photos and dimensions included. Many use that form of evidence, successfully and is free.

If your parents own the property then a letter from them stating that you are welcome to stay and a description of the house, rooms etc would be adequate with a certified copies of parents house deeds. Some stick in a utility bill as confirmation of current (parents) occupancy.

If they own it, when did they purchase it? Old estate agents advertising flyers are often available on the internet now. My previous house isnt. But many are, complete with floor plan. However I actually had, in my possesion 3 such flyers. One from when we bought the property, one from when we remortgaged the property and one from when we decided to sell our property but changed our minds By putting a property on the market and changing your mind will yield a free flyer with dimensions photos etc unless there is a charge upfront for that now....

Surveys are not cheap. That is the issue. Even a basic survey, which is all you would need is £200 plus.

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/a-guide-to-homebuyer-surveys-and-costs

http://www.home.co.uk/guides/buying/one_off_costs.htm

By putting a property on the market and changing your mind will yield a free flyer with dimensions photos etc

exactly what i would do. i used to run an estate agency.

also--if the sponsor shares a house--all thats needed is a room for the exclusive use of the couple.

I just submitted a land registry document in our visa. Think it was £5 for an online application.

I would agree that if in doubt then it's best to get a survey done. It will ensure that every angle is covered.

I used these people: http://www.propertyinspectionreport.co.uk/

From what I remember it cost about £100, and it was specifically geared towards visa applications.

I think its best to play safe as he is going to be sharing with his parents who own the house, and especially that baby is on the way.

I just used all the information off the website I rented the property from, used the pictures and the floor plan, plus of course we submitted the tenancy agreement and letter stating she could live there.

A hundred pounds for a survey is nothing in the grand scheme of things.

Very good point Mark.

One last question regarding savings before I send the documents.

I have had the savings in my account since last September where they haven't been touched. The money was a gift as a wedding present from my mother, but she originally obtained the money by a loan in the 1st place.

Does SHE need to prove (by bank statements/receipt) that this is genuine? - She has already written a letter, for evidence, saying that the money was a gift.

I think elapsed time is enough....

Have you looked in here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...pendix_FM_Annex_1_7_Financial_Requirement.pdf

"Savings must be held in cash in a personal bank/savings account in the name of the applicant, their partner or the couple jointly. The savings can be from any legal source, including a gift from a family member or other third party, provided the source of the cash savings is declared. The applicant and/or their partner must confirm that the money, which cannot be borrowed, is under their control and evidence that it has been held in their bank account for at least the 6 months prior to the date of application."

From the above link.