Buying House with Foreign Wife (proving visa status query)

konn1ch1ha

Hi all,

My wife and I are currently going through conveyancing for a house that we’re planning to buy. We have done the ID checks, sent in forms/contracts etc, but our solicitor wants us to go in person to see my wife’s visa status. My (non-EU national) wife has a biometric residence permit which is, in itself, proof of her visa status. However, our solicitor is asking for us to go and prove my wife “exists” and to see the BRP in person. The inconvenience of this is that it’s in my hometown 120 miles away. It all seems very standard and reasonable but is there any other way her status can be proven without the travel? Our solicitor is making enquiries to see if there is. 

What’s the opinion of folk here. Is it absolutely necessary we travel all that way to show and that we exist?

TIA

user1977

Not particularly unusual or unreasonable to insist that somebody sees you in person, but solicitors will generally take the word of another solicitor (or other regulated professional) that they've seen the principal docs - so isn't visiting a local solicitor and having them certify it going to be acceptable to your solicitor?

canaldumidi

Normal request. A local solicitor should be able to verify the visa on behalf of your solicitor for a fee.

Thrugelmir

Always easiest to use a recommended local conveyancing firm. Anyone can produce documentation. Physical verification is far from unknown. 

seradane

I bought two years ago, same situation as you except I'm the non-EU partner. Nobody asked to see me in person or physically see my BRP.

It's possible the rules have changed since then. Or maybe another firm will have a different policy/be more relaxed.

Ultimately it might be up to you to decide whether travelling the 120 miles is more or less hassle than going with another firm.