Should we wait?

[JenB]

Hey guys, just a quick question, my boyfriend and I are applying for my residency as common law through the London office, and we were thinking of waiting till we have done our taxes this year, just for that little extra evidence! However, my brother is getting married in England in August and I'm worried they will still have my passport then or something, as we won't have applied till the end of febuary, should we hold on anyway and just hope or should I do it asap just in case? We have tons of pictures, letters, a lease, a joint bank account and bills, and this year I have got a lift pass and benefits through his work as common-law, will this be enough?? Cheers for the help everyone!

 

[midnightmav]

JenB, you have enough evidence already. So long as you've been living together for at least a year, all that other support evidence you stated is plenty. I've heard that the London office can be quite efficient so you might get approved before August if you apply now. (Outbound though, not Inland). Then again with this process there are always things that pop up to make an application take longer. Nothing is certain! All the best in any case.

 

[JenB]

It's been three years now I guess we do have more than enough, I'm just paranoid! lol And should definately get on it and fill out the application, my brother will kill me if his groomsman and a bridesmaid don't show! Thanks!

 

[waitingintz]

Hi Jen

I don't think you should have an issue without the taxes (I hadn't filed as common-law on mine)... have you done a declaration of common-law? It's not a required document unless your spouse is co-signing for you but I think it adds a little extra weight to the application and it's easy (just type it up, sign and get it notarized). Some offices do request them as additional docs later anyway so might as well through that in with your initial application rather than waiting on tax forms.

Also, wouldn't stress too much about the passport issue... london's pretty fast and if the request comes very close to the wedding you can always just wait and submit it after - you would get at least 30 days or not 60 to submit.

 

[midnightmav]

waitingintz is right, I am in a similar position (just a little further along than you!) Applied common law - outland. About to go home to Australia for Christmas, but also about to get a passport request. So I am cutting it close too, I might just wait. You can send your passport from any country though, just so long as you get it back in time for travel. Like I said, London is known to be pretty quick. You could always read a thread from the UK applicants to get a better idea. Goodluck!

 

[MandiF]

If you have a look at the August thread, a lot of the London applicants are getting passport requests this month, so currently its running at around 3 months from application, although remember everyone is a bit different. Also, passports are generally back in a few weeks, so I wouldn't worry about that too much about getting it back in time if you file next year, although it does sound like you have almost everything ready now anyway.

I am also in this predicament, although a lot closer to time. I applied in October and am travelling to Canada mid January, and am planning on sending my passport from there, as if the three month rule continues for me (fingers crossed), they will be requesting it at the end of January. I just need to make sure I get to Canada before they request it!