Immigrating to the UK

2023 said:
Did you just pay the fee at the post office with a postal order? Also, where/how do you get a photo for it?
Click to expand...
Correct, person behind the counter will do the return envelope for your residence permit.
Photos in the self service booth, which in my case is in the post office.
D1 form here:
www.gov.uk

Download and order DVLA forms

Order application packs and forms from DVLA
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk
 
2023 said:
Did you just pay the fee at the post office with a postal order? Also, where/how do you get a photo for it?
Click to expand...
There was a photobooth at the WHSmith that the Post office was in. That cost me 9 quid, then you get the postal order of 43 quid (plus the Post office fee), then you put it in an envelope and then I sent it Special Delivery (which cost me 6.50) and it got delivered the next day.
DVLA even has a box set up for the special deliveries showing the date on it. So the Postman just takes a photo of that sign after dumping it in the box, and then you can see it got delivered on that date.
 
killerbyte said:
It takes about a month to get on the roll and another month for it to show up on credit checks.
Click to expand...
Not sure if mine is different because I’m on a family visa and not citizens but the registration was done at the same time as when my residence card was issued. We then did the postal vote registration about 2 months later. After that a guy pitched up at the door with a tablet and we confirmed who was living here and removed the previous residents.
 
Paul Kemp said:
Not sure if mine is different because I’m on a family visa and not citizens but the registration was done at the same time as when my residence card was issued. We then did the postal vote registration about 2 months later. After that a guy pitched up at the door with a tablet and we confirmed who was living here and removed the previous residents.
Click to expand...
I signed up online and then received a letter stating it was done.
Different councils must do it differently.
 
Paul Kemp said:
Not sure if mine is different because I’m on a family visa and not citizens but the registration was done at the same time as when my residence card was issued. We then did the postal vote registration about 2 months later. After that a guy pitched up at the door with a tablet and we confirmed who was living here and removed the previous residents.
Click to expand...

Talking of family visas; it's annoying the UK don't give you a comprehensive list of documents required.

So far, all I can think of supplying is:

- Wife's passport (copy)
- Son's passport (copy) - Showing his right to abode in UK as he is a citizen
- Marriage certificate (Abridged)
- My passport (New one as I will be renewing it)
- Copy of all previous UK visitor visas to show I go there often
- Copy of house title deed to show wife stays with me
- English test number
- TB test
- Letter from family member in UK to show we can stay with them
- Proof of job offer for wife in the UK

And R95k in fees....

Am I missing anything else?

I don't think photos of us hold much weight?
 
Last edited:
On another note, my out-laws came to visit us a little while back. They are Brits who have lived in Africa for the last 55 years. My FIL has said to me on multiple occasions that he knew he would never leave Africa after his first 2 weeks in Zambia.
In another conversation my MIL noted how things here are not at all what the news makes them out to be.
Fast forward to about a week ago and after some personal loss, over a WhatsApp call, they have decided to move back. Quite strange honestly given their stance, but also understandable given that the news rarely tells you what life over here is really like.
 
Last edited:
Priapus said:
Talking of family visas; it's annoying the UK don't give you a comprehensive list of documents required.

So far, all I can think of supplying is:

- Wife's passport (copy)
- Son's passport (copy) - Showing his right to abode in UK as he is a citizen
- Marriage certificate (Abridged)
- My passport (New one as I will be renewing it)
- Copy of all previous UK visitor visas to show I go there often
- Copy of house title deed to show wife stays with me
- English test number
- TB test
- Letter from family member in UK to show we can stay with them

And R95k in fees....

Am I missing anything else?

I don't think photos of us hold much weight?
Click to expand...

A quick search of an immigration lawyer's site shows this:

immigrationlawyers-london.com

Spouse Visa UK Requirements and Application Guide 2026

The Spouse Visa UK enables an eligible foreign national to join and live with their partner in the UK if they are a British citizen or settled person.
immigrationlawyers-london.com immigrationlawyers-london.com

UK spouse visa required documents checklist​

You will need to provide several documents with your visa application, these may include:

  • Completed application form and application fee
  • Valid passport
  • Previous passports
  • Evidence of your genuine and subsisting relationship (e.g. shared bills, photographs, correspondence, messages).
  • Proof you meet the English language requirements (e.g. CEFR exam certificate).
  • Two passport-sized colour photos that are in line with the requirements set by the UK.
  • Proof you meet the financial requirements (e.g. bank statements, savings statement, wage slips)
  • Details of any previous immigration applications, if any
  • Details of any criminal convictions
  • Your national insurance number (if you have one)
  • Proof of accommodation in the UK
  • Biometric information (fingerprints and a digital photograph).
  • Tuberculosis test results if from a country where you have to take the test
 
2023 said:
Did you just pay the fee at the post office with a postal order? Also, where/how do you get a photo for it?
Click to expand...

I was so lazy I got them to mail me the forms. Fill in, get a photo at snappy snaps or somewhere, the people at the post office were really helpful with sending it all.

Took 3 weeks to get mine back almost to the day
 
Priapus said:
Talking of family visas; it's annoying the UK don't give you a comprehensive list of documents required.

So far, all I can think of supplying is:

- Wife's passport (copy)
- Son's passport (copy) - Showing his right to abode in UK as he is a citizen
- Marriage certificate (Abridged)
- My passport (New one as I will be renewing it)
- Copy of all previous UK visitor visas to show I go there often
- Copy of house title deed to show wife stays with me
- English test number
- TB test
- Letter from family member in UK to show we can stay with them
- Proof of job offer for wife in the UK

And R95k in fees....

Am I missing anything else?

I don't think photos of us hold much weight?
Click to expand...

None, you just have to prove you can afford to support yourselves and that your relationship is over 2 years.
I did this by showing the insurance, life policies and will, which all had my partner as beneficiary for more than 2 years
 
Dave said:
A quick search of an immigration lawyer's site shows this:

immigrationlawyers-london.com

Spouse Visa UK Requirements and Application Guide 2026

The Spouse Visa UK enables an eligible foreign national to join and live with their partner in the UK if they are a British citizen or settled person.
immigrationlawyers-london.com immigrationlawyers-london.com

UK spouse visa required documents checklist​

You will need to provide several documents with your visa application, these may include:

  • Completed application form and application fee
  • Valid passport
  • Previous passports
  • Evidence of your genuine and subsisting relationship (e.g. shared bills, photographs, correspondence, messages).
  • Proof you meet the English language requirements (e.g. CEFR exam certificate).
  • Two passport-sized colour photos that are in line with the requirements set by the UK.
  • Proof you meet the financial requirements (e.g. bank statements, savings statement, wage slips)
  • Details of any previous immigration applications, if any
  • Details of any criminal convictions
  • Your national insurance number (if you have one)
  • Proof of accommodation in the UK
  • Biometric information (fingerprints and a digital photograph).
  • Tuberculosis test results if from a country where you have to take the test
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll include photos of our wedding and the birth of our son and other family photos.
 
syntax said:
None, you just have to prove you can afford to support yourselves and that your relationship is over 2 years.
I did this by showing the insurance, life policies and will, which all had my partner as beneficiary for more than 2 years
Click to expand...

Our marriage certificate is older than 2 years - and the title deed is older than two years. I guess that holds a fair amount of weight to prove things.
 
Priapus said:
Talking of family visas; it's annoying the UK don't give you a comprehensive list of documents required.

So far, all I can think of supplying is:

- Wife's passport (copy)
- Son's passport (copy) - Showing his right to abode in UK as he is a citizen
- Marriage certificate (Abridged)
- My passport (New one as I will be renewing it)
- Copy of all previous UK visitor visas to show I go there often
- Copy of house title deed to show wife stays with me
- English test number
- TB test
- Letter from family member in UK to show we can stay with them
- Proof of job offer for wife in the UK

And R95k in fees....

Am I missing anything else?

I don't think photos of us hold much weight?
Click to expand...
I’ll dig out our list over the weekend. Only difference being that we had no jobs and went on savings.
Don’t think police clearance was required but done it anyway. That and the TB test is only valid for 6 months so it’s important to time them correctly. I did them twice, for 3 people. *makes crying face.
 
Paul Kemp said:
I’ll dig out our list over the weekend. Only difference being that we had no jobs and went on savings.
Don’t think police clearance was required but done it anyway. That and the TB test is only valid for 6 months so it’s important to time them correctly. I did them twice, for 3 people. *makes crying face.
Click to expand...

Thanks,

Fortunatley I don't need to find another job right away, as I will continue to work for current company for a bit once that side - they based in UK.

I'll do TB test in Jan - as I need to apply for visa in Feb to make a May deadline (We would ideally need to leave by the 5th of May)
 
Paul Kemp said:
On another note, my out-laws came to visit us a little while back. They are Brits who have lived in Africa for the last 55 years. My FIL has said to me on multiple occasions that he knew he would never leave Africa after his first 2 weeks in Zambia.
In another conversation my MIL noted how things here are not at all what the news makes them out to be.
Fast forward to about a week ago and after some personal loss, over a WhatsApp call, they have decided to move back. Quite strange honestly given their stance, but also understandable given that the news rarely tells you what life over here is really like.
Click to expand...
"over here" being where?
 
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