Off to the UK

As you may have noticed, there has been very little crafting going on at Orangebloom. Well, I can now explain why…

My husband has received his settlement visa (I have a British Passport) and we have decided to immigrate to the UK.

The British High Commision has a long list of all the requirements and answers to common questions. Link to British High Commission…

I would like to offer my knowledge to other who may be getting the documents ready for the process of applying for a UK Settlement Visa.

So, here is a list that I have compiled, but everyones circumstances are different, so be sure to check with an agency before applying.

• Unabridged Marriage Certificate (you will need the BI-30 form when you apply, this is the paper that you signed on your wedding day, your minister or magistrate will have a copy).
• Unabridged Birth Certificates (both Husband and Wife)
• Tax Clearance (IRP5 or IT34 from SARS) – both Husband and Wife
• Police Clearance (this will help a lot once in the UK, but is not necessary for the Visa Application (but it won’t hurt) Both Husband and Wife
• 3 Months bank Statements (originals stamped by the bank) both Husband and Wife, not older than 7 days from date of application
• Letter to indicate Savings, I recommend that each person should have £3 000, but it is up to you and your circumstances (consult your agency)
• Letter stating what will be done with your debit orders, for instance we will be keeping our house and renting it out, our cell phones will be cancelled, I will sell my car, etc.
• You will need a letter from an Estate Agent to say that your house will be rented or sold, the same for any other assets
• Proof of current employment (both Husband and Wife), this is a sensitive one, so if you don’t want to upset your current employer, you had better keep this one quiet. You should have a copy of your employment contract. Provide a letterhead with registration numbers and tax numbers of the company on, add a business card for good measure.
• CV’s and certified copy of all qualifications (both Husband and Wife) this is to prove that you are employable, make sure that your CV is in the UK format.
• Employment in the UK (both Husband and Wife), this is a tricky one, agencies will only look at your CV once you have your visa and have booked your tickets. We have enlisted our visa assist agency to help us with letters from contacts. It does not mean we have a job, it is just for visa purposes. I have heard about people that have gone over for a holiday and attended interviews at agencies and got letters in that way. Everyone’s situation is different. Ask your agency for guidance.
• Invitation letter from where you will be staying when you get there. We will be staying with friends, they own their home. You need a copy of the mortgage agreement, a utility bill and proof that they are permitted to live and work in the UK.
• Passports (I have a British passport) my husband will be getting a settlement visa. Be sure that there is enough space in the passport for a 2 page visa and that it is valid for at least 2 more years.
• Passport photos – professionally done to the requirements stated on the application form.
• Money to pay for the Visa – Settlement Visa costs +-R8540
• Money for tickets
• Letters from family and friends confirming your relationship.
• Photos of you and your spouse over the years.

It was a very diffucult decision, but it is for the best…