Visa Application Strategy

"It is always a good idea to include a cover letter with your application, listing all the documents you are submitting as well keeping a photocopy of the application and documents you submit for your own records. It would be also helpful to include the requirements of paragraph 281; this is particularly useful in instances where Entry Clearance Officers claim that insufficient documents were provided or where there is a refusal decision because certain documents were not provided with the application when they in actual fact were. Many British Embassies now delegate administrative work including applications and documents to local staff so administrative errors such as missing documents is becoming more common."

I found this advice on the internet. It pretty much ties up what I was trying to say in a thread a few days ago. This is exactly how my wifes application was presented. Notice the bit about delegation.

Thanks for that info JA...
What is paragraph 281??.. whats on that??..

Its one of the key regulations. I am at work now but I will dig it out this evening.

Paragraph 1 of the Immigration Rules relating to Spouse Visas. I think there is a similar one for Fiancee Visas ............

Immigration Rules
Part 8
Family members
This is a consolidated version of the current Immigration Rules.

Spouses or civil partners of persons present and settled in the United Kingdom or being admitted on the same occasion for settlement.

Requirements for leave to enter the United Kingdom with a view to settlement as the spouse or civil partner of a person present and settled in the United Kingdom or being admitted on the same occasion for settlement


"281. The requirements to be met by a person seeking leave to enter the United Kingdom with a
view to settlement as the spouse or civil partner of a person present and settled in the United
Kingdom or who is on the same occasion being admitted for settlement are that:
(i) (a)(i) the applicant is married to or the civil partner of a person present and settled in
the United Kingdom or who is on the same occasion being admitted for settlement; and
__ __(ii) the applicant provides an original English language test certificate in speaking
and listening from an English language test provider approved by the Secretary of State
for these purposes, which clearly shows the applicant's name and the qualification
obtained (which must meet or exceed level A1 of the Common European Framework of
Reference) unless:
(a) the applicant is aged 65 or over at the time he makes his application; or
(b) the applicant has a physical or mental condition that would prevent him from
meeting the requirement; or;
(c) there are exceptional compassionate circumstances that would prevent the
applicant from meeting the requirement; or
__ __(iii) the applicant is a national of one of the following countries: Antigua and
Barbuda; Australia; the Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Canada; Dominica; Grenada;
Guyana; Jamaica; New Zealand; St Kitts and Nevis; St Lucia; St Vincent and the
Grenadines; Trinidad and Tobago; United States of America; or
__ __(iv) the applicant has obtained an academic qualification(not a professional or
vocational qualification), which is deemed by UK NARIC to meet the recognised standard
of a Bachelor's or Master's degree or PhD in the UK, from an educational establishment
in one of the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; The Bahamas;
Barbados; Belize; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Ireland; Jamaica; New Zealand; St Kitts
and Nevis; St Lucia; St Vincent and The Grenadines; Trinidad and Tobago; the UK; the
USA; and provides the specified documents; or
__ __(v) the applicant has obtained an academic qualification (not a professional or
vocational qualification) which is deemed by UK NARIC to meet the recognised standard
of a Bachelor's or Master's degree or PhD in the UK, and
(1) provides the specified evidence to show he has the qualification, and
(2) UK NARIC has confirmed that the qualification was taught or researched in
English, or

__ __(vi) has obtained an academic qualification (not a professional or vocational
qualification) which is deemed by UK NARIC to meet the recognised standard of a
Bachelor's or Master's degree or PhD in the UK, and provides the specified evidence to
show:
(1) he has the qualification, and
(2) that the qualification was taught or researched in English.
or
__(b)(i) the applicant is married to or the civil partner of a person who has a right of
abode in the United Kingdom or indefinite leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom
and is on the same occasion seeking admission to the United Kingdom for the purposes
of settlement and the parties were married or formed a civil partnership at least 4 years
ago, since which time they have been living together outside the United Kingdom; and
__(b)(ii) the applicant has demonstrated sufficient knowledge of the English language
and sufficient knowledge about life in the United Kingdom, in accordance with Appendix
KoLL; and
__(b)(iii) DELETED
(ii) the parties to the marriage or civil partnership have met; and
(iii) each of the parties intends to live permanently with the other as his or her spouse or
civil partner and the marriage or civil partnership is subsisting; and
(iv) there will be adequate accommodation for the parties and any dependants without
recourse to public funds in accommodation which they own or occupy exclusively; and
(v) the parties will be able to maintain themselves and any dependants adequately
without recourse to public funds; and
(vi) the applicant holds a valid United Kingdom entry clearance for entry in this capacity;
and
(vii) the applicant does not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal.
For the purposes of this paragraph and paragraphs 282-289 a member of HM Forces serving
overseas, or a permanent member of HM Diplomatic Service or a comparable UK-based staff
member of the British Council on a tour of duty abroad, or a staff member of the Department for
International Development who is a British Citizen or is settled in the United Kingdom, is to be
regarded as present and settled in the United Kingdom."

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...ta/file/336949/Immigration_Rules_-_Part_8.pdf

Looks like paragraph 289/90 for Fiancees.

Thanks JA..
Will look at that tomorrow...
Im waiting for Anne reply regarding documents she passed in ukba that they will get married in a civil wedding. Because my boyfriend hang up on that documents since he cant booked a venue nor a hotel bookings if we dont have notice of marriage yet. We need to file a notice of marriage before we can booked a venue... Im a bit confused, if that happen how we can proved that we really get married??..

This is possibly the biggest challenge for Fiancee visa applicants. Timmers had to get round this.

How about written quotes for a wedding cake. Written quotes for rings etc and an enquiry letter or email for the wedding ceremony. You have to prove intent. Also a quote for a wedding reception.

For my Fiancée visa application I submitted the following;

1. Receipt for him and her wedding rings
2. Email to Registry Office asking them the process of marrying a Philippine National and the reply
3. Email to proposed wedding and reception venue asking for quotes plus their reply

And that was it, like you said you cant book the wedding before the bride arrives in the UK

You could probably ramble on a bit and get quotes for wedding cake, suits, dresses, the list could go on and on, how long is a piece of string

I agree, for me it was the biggest challenge because all you can do is get quotes from wedding suppliers and the church or registry office, nothing can be concrete.

At the end of the day anyone can get quotes, who's to say you're going to use those services and get married. I guess that very few people would apply for a marriage visa and not get married, I could be wrong.

Thanks Timmer, let's see how he can manage that.. that is really a big challenge for a man to do all the quiries planning for their wedding.. and its sounds so sweet for us women... we really adore you all men who do and make plan for the wedding hahahaha so sweet we love you more and appreciate all that effort (for you all men there)...

So sweet
Thank you for all guys here...
GOD BLESS YOU ALL....

A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do.

This i

Wedding preparation and booking is indeed very challenging also to my fiance, agh this is "not a man's thing" but he has to do it as needed!
Now he will experience what i had experienced when we had our "spiritual wedding" in my province, which i did it on my own in 2 week preparation.It was a lot of stress back then , but it was worth it, and of course, that was so lovely

In our previous plan we want to have our wedding at St Bartholomew Church in Great Harwood England, that was the place where he was baptized and also where his parents were married and other family members too back then.Honestly we actually have not anticipated that registry booking is not enough to prove we are going to be married when i a finally arrive in UK.We have no choice but book it in Scotland instead... so that we can show the receipts of the following, wedding venue/reception, cakes, invitations, rings etc.Guest lists and food choices and a lot more.I hope ECO will find this as enough evidence to show how sincere we are of the intention to be married.
Good luck to us who are still going through the process of gathering proofs to support our Visa application xxx

Yes Nickel,

Goodluck to us.. Right now my fiancee is still waiting for the documents and registry replies while im having my review in my IELTS Exam...

God's WILL, will lead us to the WAY.....
God bless to us all....

Hi Timmers,..
Do you know how long it take to have a reply from the civil registry office???.. He already email the civil registrar about the wedding date if the office is available...

I actually received a reply within one or two working days but different offices will vary. Please see the email I sent to the Registry Office and their reply below to give you an idea. I also submitted this email as part of the visa evidence that I intended to marry

Dear Sir/Madam,
I intend to bring my fiancée to the UK in the next few months under a Fiancée visa which requires that I marry her within six months of her entry into the UK. Therefore I am inquiring about the paperwork etc I will be required to produce prior to booking a wedding with you. In addition to this I would like to know how and when to book, how long before I wish to marry should I book etc.
Note that I am a British citizen and have lived all my life in the UK. Both myself and fiancée have been married before and have the relevant paperwork to prove we are legally divorced.
Many thanks in advance for your assistance in this matter and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Reply

Dear *****
Thank you for your email.
Provisional bookings can only be made once your fiancée is residing in the UK. In order to make a provisional booking you will need to contact our office on 0845 053****, asking for the Ceremonies Office Accrington. We will then be able to discuss a suitable date and time for your ceremony. On making your provisional booking you will be required to pay a £30.00 non refundable administration fee.
As your fiancée is a Philippine National, you will both be required to give your Notice of Marriage at a designated office. The nearest office to Accrington is Blackburn Register Office. The fees for the Notices are £35.00 each and Blackburn will confirm the documents required for the Notices when you make the appointment. The telephone number for Blackburn Register Office is 01254 58****.
I hope this helps with your enquiry, however should you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact our office. Our office is open Monday – Friday 9am – 4.30pm.
Kind Regards

I hope this gives you an idea

I still want to marry in HK en route!

But finding the eye watering £1,982.00 per person is the real killer

thank you for the information @Timmers , this helps a lot. Remember i was here to ask if someone knew am immigration lawyer? Yes my future husband would not settle without, in spite of me telling him, we can do it on our own.He said he wanted everything done and checked as we might miss something if we will do it on our own,AGGhhh that's a big amount for the lawyer .Anyway the good thing about me being here is that , i have the knowledge what i needed and I can discuss details with the lawyer , basing from your experiences and heartily given advises <3 which my Future husband and I, really appreciated!
I will be shooting 2 birds with one stone with my trip to Manila for 1) TB test...( 2) lawyer appointment )

Are you using a Filipino lawyer or a UK lawyer? UK lawyers are best as they are familiar with UK law which is what its all about.

We are using a UK lawyer, plus his counterpart here in the Philippines for easy communication

I hope they do a good job for you Nickel, you have to go with whatever you feel comfortable with, you're right to go with British solicitor

Keep us posted as it will be good to hear what advice you receive on the submission of documents and so on.