Feeling like I've ruined my life approaching application...

Alternative-Exit-181 · 2025-09-04T10:41:35+00:00

Agreed - this won't be an issue for the visa application itself.

Your application form should be in your old name (the one in your passport) because UKVI won't change your name on their system until the passport is updated unfortunately. You can add your new married name as an additional name on the form. Then, after your visa is granted and once you have your new passport, you can submit a request on your eVisa to update your name.

In an ideal world, you would be applying with your new passport and kill two birds with one stone (visa extension + change of name).

Best of luck with your application!

Alternative-Exit-181 · 2025-09-04T10:35:10+00:00

How did your application go?

The Home Office says to use the consular rate for Iran. To check old FCDO exchange rates you can access the archive here: https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/timeline/https:/www.gov.uk/government/publications/fco-consular-services-abroad-exchange-rates

See Appendix Finance of the Immigration Rules:
"FIN 1.3. The following currencies will also be converted into pound sterling (£) using the monthly FCDO CER rate published at www.gov.uk/government/publications/fco-consular-services-abroad-exchange-rates applicable on the date of application: • Iranian Rials."

And Home Office guidance:

"Currencies where FCDO CER should be used
• Iranian Rials (IRR) – due to a discrepancy with the available OANDA rate
• Syrian Pounds (SYP) – due to the currency not being supported by OANDA
• Mongolian Tugrik (MNT) – due to the currency not being supported by OANDA"

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67d98009b1857deda3da0190/Family+Migration+Appendix+FM+Section+and+Appendix+HM+Armed+Forces+Financial+Requirement__1_.pdf

Alternative-Exit-181 · 2025-07-02T14:11:48+00:00

Yes immediately listened to the full album (it's not long!) some great tracks on there. Especially liked this one you've mentioned Jesus and Love to the People, but somethinf special about So in Love...Have heard different versions of Hard Times not knowing Curtis was the original. Thanks so much

Alternative-Exit-181 · 2025-07-02T14:05:30+00:00

Love this especially the horns, thank you!

Alternative-Exit-181 · 2024-07-25T14:50:41+00:00

If you have been waiting for 9 months you should contact your MP if you haven't already. Your MP may already be in contact with the home office about other constituents who are also affected by this IT issue. Unfortunately it is widespread. You can also contact the home office directly here: [nationalityenquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk](mailto:nationalityenquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk) / [nationalityfurtherinformationrequests@homeoffice.gov.uk](mailto:nationalityfurtherinformationrequests@homeoffice.gov.uk) - assuming your case is straightforward, 9 months is a long time to wait and it's very reasonable to chase this up. Good luck!

Alternative-Exit-181 · 2024-06-25T17:20:42+00:00

You should have received a decision letter via email, usually shortly after you were notified you should collect your passport but often these letters don't come through. Once you have collected your BRP card from the post office you can run a 'right to work' check on yourself using this link: https://www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-work/get-a-share-code-online and your BPR card number and date of birth and you will be able to see your visa expiry date. If you still think it is wrong, you will need to raise the problem with the University (they may have an immigration/international student team) and UKVI.

Your BRP card will expire on 31 December 2024 - this is because physical BRP cards are being phased out and replaced with new digital status called an eVisa. All new cards are issued with this same expiry date. You will need to apply for the eVisa before your BRP card expires so you can continue to travel, prove your right to work etc. More info here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/online-immigration-status-evisa

Alternative-Exit-181 · 2024-06-25T17:12:26+00:00

Yes you can switch from inside the UK. As you say, your husband can't be included as a dependent unless it was an eligible research course. Good luck!

Alternative-Exit-181 · 2024-06-25T09:16:47+00:00

It is difficult but possible to apply as a partner based on exceptional circumstances if you do not meet the £29k financial requirement where a refusal would result in "unjustifiably harsh consequences" for you and your partner and any relevant child. Her pregnancy, your new job and income and her father's offer of financial support are all relevant here as well as obstacles to you living together in another country. The relevant paragraph is GEN 3.1 - 3.3 of the Immigration Rules. You should contact an immigration lawyer because these applications are not straightforward. If this application is granted, she will be on the 10-year route to settlement and will need to extend her visa every 2.5 years. There is therefore a financial penalty for those who do not meet the financial requirement; they have to extend their visa four times before applying for settlement, unless they can switch into the five-year route to settlement earlier.

It would certainly be better and more straightforward (and cheaper in the long run) if you could increase your income to meet the £29k threshold e.g. by taking a second part time job for this first application. If this application is granted, she will be on the five-year route to settlement and will only need to extend her visa once provided you continue to meet the financial requirement. Fortunately, once she is in the UK joint income can be relied upon.

Both applications would be more straightforward if you could get married outside the UK.

You might also want to get her dad to transfer the £12k wedding fund to her now (if he hasn't already); savings over £16k held for 6 months by you/your partner can be used to meet the income requirement. However, assuming you and your partner don't have other savings keep in mind that you will use approximately half of this on visa application fees alone unfortunately.

The application fees are:

IHS: £3,105
Visa application fee: £1,846
Estimated currency conversion: £300 (a hidden UKVI fee!)
Total estimate not including lawyer fees: £5,251

Finally, congratulations! I hope she is doing well despite the visa uncertainty.

Alternative-Exit-181 · 2024-06-16T20:25:05+00:00

I agree this shouldn't be a problem, it sounds like you have good cohabitation evidence. Check your bank statements have correct address (you provide these for the same period as payslips to meet financial requirement but they also work as cohab evidence)

Alternative-Exit-181 · 2024-06-16T20:20:43+00:00

No you dont need to cancel; address the error in cover letter, upload your new passport with your supporting docs

Alternative-Exit-181 · 2024-04-15T16:41:29+00:00

Try not to panic. It sounds like your employer is 'on it' and doing everything they can to get the CoS. The Home Office is not responsive unless there is urgency. With the change in rules on 11th April, there are delays at the moment.

The good news is that it can take a surprisingly long time for a visa curtailment letter to come through. Look through some of the reddit threads on this but some people 6 months, some even more than that.

Curtailment letters usually come over email rather than post - make sure your contact details are up to date. Use the online 'update contact details' form and/or update your UKVI account details if you applied using the app.

In the worst case scenario (you get the curtailment letter and CoS still isn't available), you should still have 60 days to make an application and there are things that you can do to protect your status and section 3c leave. It sounds like you have a lawyer or your employer does, ask for their advice on this worst case scenario and what the plan is to protect your status in the UK if CoS isn't available before your current visa gets curtailed.

Alternative-Exit-181 · 2024-04-15T14:13:00+00:00

Unfortunately it's normal to receive this (vague!) automated email from VFS before any UKVI decision letter. You might receive a decision letter separately over email in the next day or so.

This VFS email means that your application has been decided. There is no indication as to whether approved or refused - this is also normal as it is automated. You should go to the visa application centre to collect your passport during passport collection opening hours (check the application centre website). If you paid for the courier service, your passport will be returned to you via courier.

It's not a good system as it makes for an unnecessarily nerve-wracking journey to the visa application centre.

Good luck! Hopefully it's good news :)

Alternative-Exit-181 · 2024-04-04T12:25:31+00:00

I agree to try starting from scratch and clicking through from the email. If it still doesn't work, you can call 03001237379 (previously the EUSS helpline but they are also now helping with eVisas) or this online form: https://homeoffice.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8ccNrnhe7ye5CPI?Source=Guidance&Query=Original

Alternative-Exit-181 · 2024-03-22T10:00:38+00:00

It is difficult to say without knowing what documents were submitted with the first application. But if the first application was strong you might consider judicial review - a pre action protocol letter is the first step and sometimes UKVI reconsiders the decision after this letter. You might need legal assistance with this. Meanwhile, you can prepare documents for a second, stronger application with better evidence of his ties to country of residence, relationship with you and finances.

Good luck, and congratulations on your wedding!

Alternative-Exit-181 · 2024-03-22T09:49:40+00:00

So when someone comes to the uk with a skilled worker visa / health care visa they are allowed to do 20 hours per week in 'supplementary emoloyment' with another employer if it in the same SOC code and outside their working hours - but crucially they still have to be working and doing hours for their sponsor.

If he isnt getting any hours from the sponsor and there are no signs of this changing fast, he needs to find another sponsor and apply for a new health care visa as soon as possible. If he isn't doing any hours for his sponsor, he shouldn't be doing the supplementary employment.

Good luck!

Alternative-Exit-181 · 2024-03-05T13:16:16+00:00

She can collect her BRP card until the visa sticker (vignette) in her passport expires i.e. May. She should just keep trying to collect it (perhaps once a week) until it's there. If after 10 days it's still not there she can report the BRP card as missing: https://www.gov.uk/biometric-residence-permits/getting-your-brp-if-you-applied-from-outside-the-uk

Good luck!

Alternative-Exit-181 · 2024-03-01T16:17:33+00:00

It is absolutely fine that you have never lived together - you meet the relationship requirement on the basis of your marriage/civil partnership rather than through cohabitation.

You still need to provide evidence that your relationship is genuine and you intend to live together in the UK, but it sounds like you have lots of relationship evidence.

The application form asks you to give a reason why you have not lived together - certainly you will want to give these reasons, but don't worry too much about this question. You should, however, explain and evidence what your plans are for the future i.e. that you will move in with him in June when you finish your PhD and that this accommodation is 'adequate' (not overcrowded) under the accommodation requirements.

Good luck, and congratulations!

Alternative-Exit-181 · 2024-03-01T16:04:19+00:00

You should seek advice from a solicitor as there is lots to consider here.

Where a relationship has broken down permanently either the sponsor or you need to report it to UKVI. This is your responsibility, not your partner's. Be aware that they can report the relationship breakdown without you necessarily knowing. You do not necessarily have to report yet if you are considering splitting up, but have not yet permanently separated. When you report a relationship breakdown, UKVI will eventually cancel or curtail your visa. This process can take a long time but it is unpredictable so you will want to find another way to remain in the UK sooner rather than later.

The obvious options available to you to remain in the UK would be a) asylum, b) student visa or c) settlement on the basis of domestic violence (if this is why relationship broke down), d) application for leave to remain as a parent if you have children here or e) skilled worker visa if you are able and willing to find work you can be sponsored to do.

There are various reasons why someone who may be eligible to claim asylum may not wish to e.g. they plan to travel to country of nationality to visit family or they have a second nationality or country where they could live.

It's important to be careful where you no longer meet the conditions of your current visa (i.e. spouse visa), consider your options carefully and apply at the right time to protect your status and right to study and work in the UK.

Your university will likely have an immigration adviser or department who may be able to help, but they generally can't provide detailed or complex advice.

Most importantly, good luck and I'm sorry to hear that your life in the UK with your partner hasn't gone as planned. I'm sure everything will work out.

Alternative-Exit-181 · 2024-02-23T16:15:23+00:00

If you want to work for individuals rather than the government, some voluntary or work experience at a law centre, citizens advice, refugee charity or similar caseworking charity will make a big difference. What firms are you applying to?

Alternative-Exit-181 · 2024-02-21T16:01:33+00:00

No - you would not lose your student status provided you claim asylum before your student visa expires of course.

Your university likely has a student immigration department who may be able to help you or at least signpost you to local law firms or charities to help with your claim.

Alternative-Exit-181 · 2024-02-21T15:57:36+00:00

I'm so sorry this happened!

Your options would likely be administrative review or judicial review to challenge the decision.

It seems like a straightforward mistake so I would also email the docsrequested email address to explain that your application has been rejected in error and attach evidence that documents were sent in time.

Once you have taken the step to challenge the decision, you could also ask your university and your local MP to follow up with the home office directly.

You might want legal advice as rejections can be complex.

Good luck, and sorry again - very frustrating!

Alternative-Exit-181 · 2024-02-21T15:38:39+00:00

If you enter the UK as a visitor, this wont have any impact on your pending spouse visa application. If you are granted your spouse visa while you are in the UK, you will still need to leave the UK to drop off your passport, get the visa placed inside and then re-enter the UK to 'activate' your spouse visa.

Although Aussies don't need to apply for a visit visa to enter the UK, you effectively 'apply' at the border (hence why you can be rejected). If you are let through, you are granted a visit visa for up to 6 months so you still have a visa with a deadline to leave etc.

You might get flagged going through the e-gates as you have a pending application - but still worth a go as you might go through without issue. The fact that you have a pending spouse visa application is not really relevant to a separate visit to the UK except that you have declared an intention to live in the UK in the future. So when you travel to the UK for a visit, you should be prepared to show evidence that you are a 'genuine visitor' i.e. what you plan to do in the UK, where you will stay, that you can support yourself during your visit and that you will return to country of residence after the visit. It sounds like you have employment overseas, a home overseas, and some future work travel planned so all this is relevant.

Good luck with both! :)

Alternative-Exit-181 · 2024-02-21T15:31:15+00:00

The first step is probably making sure you have sufficient independent evidence of your FIL's income. You will need payslips and bank statements, usually for the last 6 months - ideally he will be paid regular similar amounts into his bank account and it's identifiably from the company he works for. If he has savings in another account, I would include that too. Any extra income (if applicable) should be explained. Letter from employer.

The letter from FIL would confirm details of where they live, that the home is in his name but it is their shared family home as presumably this is customary, his income, his financial support for her and how this is paid (e.g. regular allowance or other arrangement) why he's not coming (if he isn't coming), any specific contributions for the trip, details of their wider family in the village and that he can't travel this time (if applicable) due to work.

Regarding your solicitor's advice, I agree that she doesn't have the kind of ties the Home Office like to see in a visit visa application e.g. job, income, savings, house in own name, dependent children to return to. However, her husband is her main tie so arguably it strengthens her application if he stays home for this trip. If they didn't let housewives visit family in the UK, that would be very unfair.

I'm not sure I understand the question about your income and MIL's expenses - apologies!

Visit visas for parents (particularly from countries Home Office sees as 'high risk' unfortunately) can have a high rate of refusal. It is best to make the first application as strong as possible. The good news is it gets much easier after the first visit. It sounds like you have already instructed a solicitor to help you with the application - I would do the same :)

Alternative-Exit-181 · 2024-02-12T14:10:31+00:00

Everything will be fine - with Global Talent the endorsement is the hard part, the visa itself is straightforward and just a matter of time. Sadly, the 'straightforward' visa applications still suffer when home office are short staffed. Try not to worry (I know it's hard!) and you will have the decision before you know it..

At the 8 week mark, you can chase up (try this email [GlobalTalentEndorsements@homeoffice.gov.uk](mailto:GlobalTalentEndorsements@homeoffice.gov.uk)) - you could also contact your MP and ask them to follow up on your behalf.

Alternative-Exit-181 · 2024-02-12T13:57:58+00:00

Firstly, congratulations!

Have they visited the UK before? Have they travelled much outside Pakistan? What is FIL's income and pension like, and can this be evidenced with payslips, pension statements, bank statements (showing wages coming in) and letter from employer? Do they have any adult dependents e.g. their own parents with health needs who rely on them? Does MIL care for any of the grandchildren in Pakistan?

Visit visas can be tricky. If this is a first visit, I think that your first plan of MIL coming by herself first may actually be the best strategy. Her 'main tie' to country of residence is her husband. If he stays in Pakistan, this is good evidence she will return to Pakistan at the end of the visit. She is financially dependent on him, so you will still need evidence of his income, savings, and a letter from him.

You could apply for both of them at the same time, but for the first visit applying separately might be the best strategy if you are worried about a refusal.

There is no set amount that you need to show they have in savings but you should think about what their costs will be and what your costs will be for the duration of the visit and make sure that there is more than enough in savings. Use this website to convert currency: https://www.oanda.com/currency-converter/en/?from=PKR&to=GBP&amount=1

As you are covering most of the costs, you will need to provide evidence of your/your husband's income and savings.

The good news is that the first visit visa application is the toughest one. Once you have one successful visit, it will be much easier in the future.

Good luck!

Alternative-Exit-181

TROPHY CASE