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Appendix FM-SE Compliance Guide

UK Spouse Visa Document Checklist (Appendix FM-SE)

A comprehensive, clause-by-clause checklist of mandatory documents required for a UK Spouse Visa under Appendix FM and Appendix FM-SE of the Immigration Rules.

The 28-Day Rule: Under Appendix FM-SE, your most recent bank statement, payslip, and employer letter must be dated no earlier than 28 days before the exact date you submit the online visa application and pay the Home Office fee. Submitting an out-of-date document results in automatic financial refusal.

1. Identity & Status of Parties

  • Applicant: Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining and blank visa pages. Previous passports covering travel history.
  • Sponsor: Bio-data page of British passport, or copy of Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) BRP card, or proof of EU Settled Status share code.
  • Tuberculosis Certificate: Valid IOM clinic medical certificate (if applying from a listed country, such as Pakistan, India, Nigeria, or China).

2. Genuine & Subsisting Relationship Evidence

  • Official Marriage Certificate: Original marriage certificate (plus certified English translation if married outside the UK). For Pakistani marriages, both the NADRA computerized certificate and original Nikah Nama are required.
  • Previous Marriages (if applicable): Original Decree Absolute or death certificate proving prior marriages were legally terminated.
  • Photographic Evidence: Curated selection (15 to 25 photos) across the timeline of your relationship: wedding ceremony, pre-wedding visits, travel together, and social events with family.
  • Communication Records: WhatsApp / call logs sampling continuous contact (1 to 2 pages per month spanning periods of separation).
  • Travel History: Flight boarding passes, hotel reservations, and visa entry stamps proving sponsor visits to applicant's country.

3. Financial Requirement Evidence (Category A: Salaried Employment)

  • 6 Consecutive Months of Payslips: Corresponding to the 6 months leading up to application date.
  • 6 Consecutive Months of Bank Statements: Personal bank statements corresponding precisely to the payslips, showing salary deposits matching net pay. Statements must be on bank stationery or accompanied by a bank verification letter.
  • Mandatory Employer Letter: On corporate letterhead, signed by a senior manager or HR officer, confirming: (1) employment tenure, (2) job title, (3) permanent contract status, (4) gross annual salary, (5) period paid at that level, and (6) authenticity of submitted payslips.
  • Latest P60: (Or contract of employment) confirming PAYE tax deductions.

4. Adequate Accommodation Evidence

  • If Rented: Tenancy agreement, letter from landlord confirming spouse has permission to reside, and evidence that accommodation is not overcrowded under the Housing Act 1985.
  • If Owned: Land Registry title deeds, latest mortgage statement, and council tax bill.
  • Living with Family: Letter of permission from homeowner, copy of property deeds / mortgage statement, council tax bill, and a certified Property Inspection Report confirming room dimensions and occupants.

5. English Language Requirement

  • Approved SELT Certificate: CEFR Level A1 (for initial entry clearance) or Level A2 (for FLR M extension) from Trinity College London, IELTS Life Skills, or Pearson PTE Home.
  • Academic Exemption: UK Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD degree certificate, or foreign degree certified by ECCTIS (with Statement of Comparability and English Proficiency confirmation).

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