My Visa Journey: How to Apply for a UK Fiance(e) Visa (Part 3)

VAF4A and Appendix 2 

Each applicant needs to secure 2 application forms which are the VAF4A and appendix 2. The VAF4A document is mainly about the applicant’s personal information. On the other hand, the appendix 2 document is about meeting the requirements — finance and accommodation.
(**Update: VAF4A and appendix 2 are no longer required and the application is now done online.)

These are the main forms that must be filled-up and signed by the applicant. For a fiance(e) visa, the category we selected on VAF4A application was:

Type of visa: Settlement
Purpose of application: Settlement
Type of application: Marriage

You can create an account via the official UKVI website. What you should do:
1. Fill-up the form;
2. Sign the declaration;
3. Book an appointment;
4. Pay the visa fee; (USD 1,625; **Update: Fees may have changed.)
5. Print the application. (**Update: You will no longer have to print the application form as it’s done online)

The rest of the documents (e.g. IELTS, pay slips, employment letter) are just proofs to back-up the information supplemented in the form.

For the appendix 2 form, you can get it from the UK government website. Just make sure you are downloading the recent form which is issued by their official website.

There is a 28-day rule and this means that the recent financial documents should not be older than 28 days since the online application submission. The main point here is the financial documents should be recent or up-to-date. It is important to make sure to calculate the number of days and plan carefully on when to submit the application.

Accommodation Proofs 

The proof can include title/ownership of the property, mortgage statement, letter from the landlord, etc. A bill can also be included to verify the address, this can be a council tax and/or utility bill.

For the complete list of what I submitted on my fiance(e) visa application, see below:

Printed VAF4A
Printed VAF4A – Appendix2
(**Update: VAF4A and appendix 2 are no longer required and the application is now done online.)

Sponsor’s Documents
Cover Letter
Copy of Passport Pages
Confirmation of Employment
P60 (2015-2016)
Recent Payslips
Recent Bank Statements
Accommodation
Council Tax
Water Bill
NatWest Mortgage Details
Provisional Booking (Registry Office)

Evidence of Relationship
Screenshot of Facebook Messenger Chat Logs (**Update: No longer required)
Screenshot of Skype Call Logs (**Update: No longer required)
Holiday Photos Together
Flight Itinerary Details
Receipts
Hotel Bookings
Tours
Tickets
Engagement Ring Photo and Receipt (**Update: No longer required)

Timeline 

It took me 6 weeks of waiting. But it’s all worth it.

After securing my visa, I booked online for my CFO appointment. All Filipinos who are settling abroad need to attend the CFO seminar and get the CFO sticker/certificate. Failure to do so will only delay your departure.

Take note that you can only get your CFO sticker and certificate once your visa validity date has already started. If not, you need to go back again and get the sticker.

UPDATE:
*The process of submission of documents has changed. Please check the official website for any changes.
*The fees may change without prior notice
**Updates were noted within the post