[same sex marriage] Got my Visa Aprroved!

Hello Guys,

To all those who have replied on my queries and confusions about the whole application process, thank you so much. I won't be able to complete this without reading all those helpful threads in this site. You've made the whole visa application easier than I imagined.

With all the worries, paranoia and stressful readings; I finally got my spousal visa yesterday.

I feel so relieved and accomplished.

Just to reiterate the whole documentation process (I just noted loads of documents I found in this site and compiled them into my application), I have attached the checklist I made for the documents I submitted. Not all of them are really required but since I got those documents, I decided to submit them just to make sure I'll get my visa approved.

**please omit the CFO certificate, it's necessary after the visa got approved.



I submitted these documents with the table of contents to help them locate the documents easily.

I submitted my online Application last July 6, 2106.

My husband's payslips and bank statements are taken last June but when I checked through the available standard appointments, next possible date is July 14 which is not possible for me because of the 28 day rule for the documents.

So I checked through the premium services and decided to get the Premium Lounge Appointment. It has free sms and courier service too.

I was able to schedule the Appointment on July 8, 2016.

I had some worries about the requirements and it made me panicked all over. My husband's passport copy is not a certified copy which I forgot to check until the day before the appointment.

But I submitted it anyway and found out that they only need a certified true copy if the passport is in foreign language and has been translated to English. They accepted the scanned copy.

On the day of my appointment, the lady who accommodated my documents was a bit shady. She was checking through my documents like she's got a bad day. And when she saw husband's photo in the passport, she asked (in such a rude way) if he is my sponsor. Then she went out for a bit, I though she went to the toilet or a break but she left me standing in there while I reorganize my documents she mixed up because she can't figure out which bank statements are originals and which are photocopies.

When she got back, went straight to talk with other staff and then told me that I have to refund my application since I got it wrong.

I applied for Settlement - Husband.
They said it is for husbands who will be going to UK to settle with his wife. And that I should pick Civil Partner sub type.

They told me to just refund the application and the IHS. I also asked them about the priority processing fee I paid if I can refund it too or if I can use it again for my next application.

They were unsure about it too.

Then I started asking them why I'm supposed to pick the civil partner when we are not civil partners. I told them that I got married at the British Embassy in Manila and we were informed that civil partners and married couple are different. And we couldn't use the term civil partners for our relationship.

They just said that it's what they always do whenever there is a same sex couple applicant.

I insisted to still submit my application and told them I picked the right visa category. The lady who is accommodating me just couldn't look at me because I know she is a bit pissed off already. She said that if I insist on saying I'm right and that I think marriage and civil partnership are different, then they will accept my application but they will be putting a note to the ECO that I was advised to just refund it since I didn't pick the civil partner category.

After I submitted it came all my paranoia that I might have done a stupid act because they should've known this whole case.

I started reading loads of info about same sex spousal visa and didn't seem to find anything helpful since they never really talked about the visa sub type.

I sent them emails of concerns about my application and they just told me the same that marriage and civil partnership are treated the same in visa application and that I should've refunded my application.

But I have a guideline from the British Embassy differentiating the marriage and civil partnership. I held on to that and even prepared myself in case I need to appeal for my application.

On July 15, 2016, I received an sms that my application has been processed. I searched through the web about this update and some old forum said that it is for the refused visa application. It got me really depressed and scared.

But reading some more articles about said that it is just an update that visa processing has been completed and that I can only know the result once I got the documents and passport back.

And to think that I'll have to wait for two days and worry about it whole weekend is unbearable.

But this Saturday, July 16, 2016, it got delivered. I was shaking all over when I opened the parcel. I immediately took my passport to get a look if there's a new visa in it. And there I got my new visa valid on August 5, 2016.

I must say that the priority service is totally worth it specially for me who worries about everything, I don't think I'd survive a month of waiting and thinking if my visa is approved or not.

I have scheduled my CFO appointment on July 22, 2016. I booked it before I even submitted my online visa application since there not much schedules left for the month of July.

It's been such a crazy ride for me. But it would have been a disaster if not for this forum.

Thank you so much everyone.

*** I am still contemplating whether I should complain about the treatment I got from the staff. It would be a good opportunity for them to be educated about the whole case about same sex marriage and civil partnership. Had I chose to refund my application, it will take me 60 days to refund everything and applying for a new one will just double the waiting time. It was such a big disappointment that they almost managed to ruin my application.

Nevertheless, I'm so happy and fulfilled. My husband is so happy when I told him about it. I send him a picture of the visa and he's shouting all over his workmates that I'll be coming home with him soon.

Cheers to everyone and have an amazing day ahead.

Congratulations Thanks for the info regarding the certified true copy of passport requirements, i doubt very few people are aware of that. Saying that, I wonder in what circumstances would a British citizens passport be in another language? Anyhow congrats again, well done.

Congratulations OrB. It's a good feeling to see that visa in the passport, isn't it? I know my girlfriend still hasn't returned to Earth since she got her's on Tuesday!

It's lucky the staff at UKVI are more educated and tolerant than this woman at VFS was. But she wasn't involved in the decision making, and ultimately, the correct decision was made by the people who really mattered in this.

Congrats on your good news.

Congratulations, happier days ahead!

Well done. Congratulations!

congratatulations--well done indeed !

i must admit i was a bit worried about your application--in view of what you already told us-----but it just shows the premium service fee was well worth it in your case. what was it--a 10 day turnaround for an application which was somewhat different from others.


and now...........

They said if in case the sponsor is not a British national (but holds visa to hold residence in UK) and its passport isn't in English, then it is necessary to get it translated to English and have it stamped as certified true copy.

Thanks!

I was so depressed waiting for the result. Knowing how much money will I need to make another application had the first one been denied.

But it went well.

I couldn't be happier.

Ah understood. Cheers.

Congratulations young man, enjoy old Blighty

Another jealousy here. lol Congratulations!

Just a quick question, why is a certificate of employment important when I will definitely quit my job once the visa gets approved. Is there any specific thing that must be specified in the coe? Also, what should be stated in the cover letter? Lastly, why is the need to show travel arrangements when I wouldn't book the flight without securing a visa first? sorry for the many questions. it's not a quick question pala.

Congratulations @OrB

I only got those additional documents just to be sure

For the certificate of employment it shows that you have had previous employment and will be qualified at some jobs available in UK.

For the cover letters, I actually cheated on those letters lol. I made the whole narrative then I just let my husband and my mother in law to sign it lol. They don't really want to do it that's why I just put them into words and they just signed it.

Basically, it's about the whole relationship, how we met and what are the things we did while we are together.
And also worth mentioning the financial and accommodation eligibilites just to reiterate the requirements.

For the flight arrangement, our company has this website that makes initial flight arrangements without paying for it yet just for the visa processing needed for business trips. I booked one just for visa purposes.

These are not necessary to be honest but I wanted to make sure I am able to give all the details I needed to give them. Paranoia is all there is.

But if you've got those documents already, then it's better to include them.

Cheers.

There is a section in the online application about employment details of the applicant. I believe he's still working at the time of application that's why he submitted one. If it is applicable to you, then you should provide relevant details.

I was still employed when I applied so I supplied COE along with payslips, etc.. My certificate had the following: status in the company, position, salary, tenure, office.

I also noted on the additional information when my current employment will end to give way for my settlement in UK just so they would understand that I am fully devoted to settle in UK.

That's what I did too! Lol

Congratulations