FLR B1 Test

[Rory]

My wife took her English speaking and listening exam in Manila and that was the Hopkins one in Makati the same as your wife. My wife had to take a new one in the UK and that was with Cambridge College which is recognised here. My wife took the test on the 1st June and it was £150, that is the going price.

As Raynaputi mentioned above, both salaries are counted. I easily passed the £18.600 threshold on my own but I still added them both together on the FLR form before I posted it off.

One thing that was a pain to sort was the bank statements. I use internet banking and when we first applied for a visa 2 and a half years ago I just printed 6 months bank statements out and took them to the bank, they stamped every page to certify they were correct and true. I did the same again this time but the bank refused to stamp them, telling me they do not stamp anything any more and they would not print out 6 months of statements for the accounts for a number of reasons from the time it took to print to their records only go back 6 months if you ask for them on the last day of the month. We had to get Head Office to print them and send them in the post, this took 10 days longer than we planned so also putting out all the signed forms and other documents out by 10 days.

All I can say is, if you do online banking like we do, then do not go paperless.

[sheldon1]

Many thanks Rory could I ask what bank was that? Also could I ask if other members have come across this issue? And are there any banks that are happy to do this without any problems?. Something we should all be aware of really. Very good point.

[Rory]

I bank with Natwest. They did not seem overly helpful and I did say I really needed them for the visa.

[marksroomspain]

I bank with Natwest. They did not seem overly helpful and I did say I really needed them for the visa.

Funny folks Rory some of these people they seem very unhelpful when you ask for the smallest of things as though you're asking for the world but walk in with a jackpot lottery winning cheque then they would deck your ar-e with diamonds...

Saying that Yorkshire Bank who I have dealt with since childhood couldn't do enough when Jamie had missing statements in the 6 she needed, they duly stamped which said certification of a true copy then signed them.

Could be that I know most of the staff on a first name basis or maybe they do things different as a smaller bank...

[Travellor]

I bank with Natwest. They did not seem overly helpful and I did say I really needed them for the visa.

I bank with Natwest and they printed off my statement, then stamped and certified it.

[Rory]

I bank with Natwest and they printed off my statement, then stamped and certified it.

They did stamp them 2 and a half years ago when we first applied for a visa. I have no idea why they were unwilling to stamp now. They told me they have stopped stamping any statements not just mine.