The next step ILR

[andypaul]

It never seems to stop

CNI's, Passports,arranging wedding, gathering evidence. Then the waiting for the Visa. Then arranging the flight and supporting my Wife though the settling in period. The sorting paperwork, opening bank accounts, finding a job, sorting NI number out and of course getting a schegen visa.

Now the attention needs to be aimmed at preparing for ILR for my Wife.

I know to download the SET(M) form and to go though the requirments. But would be intresting to hear how other people are going about the process or have already?

We need plenty of evidence that the Wife is living together with me. Though joint bills,bank account in her name,official letters addressed to her such as national insurance interview letter etc.

We have over a year to prepare for submission of paperwork, but having learned from our experiences with the Visa it appears you can never start to early on these matters.

[skye]

Hi Everone,

I also have a quick question in connection with AndyPaul's.... for Filipino passport holders are we allowed to apply for schengen visas from within the Uk while we are in the Uk on fiancee visa? Or do we have go home and do the application from the Philippnes/home country? Or do only get to apply for this after we are married?

Hope someone had gone through this. This site is great! More power and good luuck to everyone!

[andypaul]

Hi Everone,

I also have a quick question in connection with AndyPaul's.... for Filipino passport holders are we allowed to apply for schengen visas from within the Uk while we are in the Uk on fiancee visa? Or do we have go home and do the application from the Philippnes/home country? Or do only get to apply for this after we are married?

Hope someone had gone through this. This site is great! More power and good luuck to everyone!

I know as a spouse you can apply easily for a schgen visa, but things are more complicated as a fiancee i think.

Best to read the embassys website of the country you need the visa for. You can most likely still apply, but need more evidence than as a spouse. It may also cost you money to apply, but it is free to apply as a spouse of a eu citzen.

[skye]

Thank you for your reply Andypaul! Much appreciated

[mupsuit]

It never seems to stop

CNI's, Passports,arranging wedding, gathering evidence. Then the waiting for the Visa. Then arranging the flight and supporting my Wife though the settling in period. The sorting paperwork, opening bank accounts, finding a job, sorting NI number out and of course getting a schegen visa.

Now the attention needs to be aimmed at preparing for ILR for my Wife.

I know to download the SET(M) form and to go though the requirments. But would be intresting to hear how other people are going about the process or have already?

We need plenty of evidence that the Wife is living together with me. Though joint bills,bank account in her name,official letters addressed to her such as national insurance interview letter etc.

We have over a year to prepare for submission of paperwork, but having learned from our experiences with the Visa it appears you can never start to early on these matters.

[quote=andypaul] It never seems to stop

AGreed (normally this would be written agreed) but our Government needs more money from you - ILR is over £300 !!!

..........and of course getting a schegen visa.

Interestingly the Shengen visa is further evidence of being together - go to the French Embassy site - google Consulate de France and see the visa section for full info

The process with SET(M) is very straightforward - if you have followed the requirments then you will get ILR in about three weeks - You can submit the application a little early we did it in month 23 from arrival


We need plenty of evidence that the Wife is living together with me. Though joint bills,bank account in her name,official letters addressed to her such as national insurance interview letter etc.

My wife does not have a bank account, she does not work. She has tried to find a job and does have an NI number - we submitted the NI Number notification letter with the application

you can never start to early on these matters.

We are now lining up stuff for her to apply for a British Passport, which includes the new Nationality exam/test - and guess what.....?

we have to pay for that also

[andypaul]

[quote=mupsuit]

It never seems to stop

AGreed (normally this would be written agreed) but our Government needs more money from you - ILR is over £300 !!!

..........and of course getting a schegen visa.

Interestingly the Shengen visa is further evidence of being together - go to the French Embassy site - google Consulate de France and see the visa section for full info

The process with SET(M) is very straightforward - if you have followed the requirments then you will get ILR in about three weeks - You can submit the application a little early we did it in month 23 from arrival


We need plenty of evidence that the Wife is living together with me. Though joint bills,bank account in her name,official letters addressed to her such as national insurance interview letter etc.

My wife does not have a bank account, she does not work. She has tried to find a job and does have an NI number - we submitted the NI Number notification letter with the application

you can never start to early on these matters.

We are now lining up stuff for her to apply for a British Passport, which includes the new Nationality exam/test - and guess what.....?

we have to pay for that also

Thanks for the feedback mupsuit,

From what i have heard they have fiddled around with the ILR requirements recently but hopefully its not to much of a headache. We should have more than enough and i heard you can ask people like neighbours to write letters testifying that my Wife has been living with you if lacking in paperwork.

We have so far Two bank accounts opened in my wifes name.

letter and card from Ehinc

Water company bill in both our names.

Electric Bill in both names

National insurance letter

Letter to confirm registration with doctors and nhs card

Schgen Visa Letters

House Insurance in both names

Job contracts

I read they will acept membership of the AA or RAC!!

You can even show evidence of membership sports and social clubs or religous organsations from the version of the form im reading at present!

So i might add my wifes membership of the local libary, join the Wife up for basic AA membership and get her to be on the mailling list with the local Church.


The exam from what i have seen seems to be full of umm really useful british info.

Good luck with the passport application

[walesrob]

Just for a change I'm asking for advice!

How are you getting on with the ILR andypaul? Elsa will have been in the UK for 2 years/24 months on February 5th 2007, and having downloaded the famous SetM application forms.

I'll probably start the application for ILR in Mid-December, and submit it early January, along with £335 we haven't got Blimey where does this all end.

[andypaul]

Just for a change I'm asking for advice!

How are you getting on with the ILR andypaul? Elsa will have been in the UK for 2 years/24 months on February 5th 2007, and having downloaded the famous SetM application forms.

I'll probably start the application for ILR in Mid-December, and submit it early January, along with £335 we haven't got Blimey where does this all end.

Hi Rob

Well Elsa will be applying and hopefully getting her ILR before my Wife.

We have just been keeping an eye on the latest requirments and procedures at the moment.

We are aiming to have more than enough evidence as the goverment or at least the leader is likely to change in the next 12 months or so. So things may get tougher to win votes. Well knowing our luck its unlikely to get any easier

From the reading i have done so far as long as your Wife has done the sensible things like like enrol with the local doctor, dentist and obtain a ni number. Not got arested, is not a member of al queda. You are both on the councill tax register and paid it. Have joint bills and some in also in either of your names addressed to your joint abode.

From what i have read its also important to make sure that the evidence is spread across the two years. Ie the evidence is not all from the first six months and a little from the last six months.

But like you say the hardest part seems to be the 355 pounds and is it 500 if you apply in person

Then the next year its the British citzenship.

But like the Visa and all the other trials so far, im sure we will be looking back going what was all the fuss about?

ps Rob

If your sending application by post in december i would check that the application doesn't need to be posted earlier due to the amount of mail sent in december, that the post office has to deal with. Also is the office affected by the holidays?

[jbt]

Wow, reading all the procedures, makes me dizzy......nothing's easy in this world....

Sooner or later, it will be my turn to apply for an ILR...hope we'll cope up with all the requirements and procedures....

:-)

[KeithD]

You can make £355 in a couple of months with this http://www.system-banker.co.uk/

[KeithD]

It may be expensive, but I'd recommend paying the £500 as it is done, and out of the way in one day. Saves weeks of worry....and it only takes around 4hrs, the majority of which is waiting for them to print it on your visa.

[walesrob]

It may be expensive, but I'd recommend paying the £500 as it is done, and out of the way in one day. Saves weeks of worry....and it only takes around 4hrs, the majority of which is waiting for them to print it on your visa.

Maybe, but you try finding 500 squids at this time of the year? Oh, and where do we have to go for this express £500 application? If its Croydon, no way, because that'll be another £30-£40 on top for travelling.

[KeithD]

Maybe, but you try finding 500 squids at this time of the year?

The equivalent of one lay bet I do about 20-40 a day

[walesrob]

Update...

So, theres me thinking, well Elsa's 2 year visa expires on Feb 28th, and then, ah, better send off that ILTR application off. BUT! I called IND for clarification about some questions on the application form - and it they told me she doesn't need to apply until 2 years AFTER arrival in the UK, in which case that will be before 15th March, so panic over for 2 more weeks, don't have to send the application till 15th February at the earliest.

I also called IND in Brum about applying in person and they also assured me that its 2 years from date of arrival in the UK - so 2 branches of IND are beating the same drum. They couldn't book an appointment anyway, as they only work 2 weeks ahead? So depending on how good my bank account is, I'll probably call back the Brum office and make an appointment after Feb 15th.

I'm not very impressed with the "call waiting" system when you call the Birmingham office - its rings 10 times then an answer phone message says "Sorry no-one here" Anyway, got through after 5 attempts, the human I spoke too, was quite, well, human unlike those in the British Embassy Manila. Looks like Elsa will miss the new requirements for the Life in the UK Test by 2 weeks, but she'll still need to take it next year.

[vbkelly]

Update...

So, theres me thinking, well Elsa's 2 year visa expires on Feb 28th, and then, ah, better send off that ILTR application off. BUT! I called IND for clarification about some questions on the application form - and it they told me she doesn't need to apply until 2 years AFTER arrival in the UK, in which case that will be before 15th March, so panic over for 2 more weeks, don't have to send the application till 15th February at the earliest.

I also called IND in Brum about applying in person and they also assured me that its 2 years from date of arrival in the UK - so 2 branches of IND are beating the same drum. They couldn't book an appointment anyway, as they only work 2 weeks ahead? So depending on how good my bank account is, I'll probably call back the Brum office and make an appointment after Feb 15th.

I'm not very impressed with the "call waiting" system when you call the Birmingham office - its rings 10 times then an answer phone message says "Sorry no-one here" Anyway, got through after 5 attempts, the human I spoke too, was quite, well, human unlike those in the British Embassy Manila. Looks like Elsa will miss the new requirements for the Life in the UK Test by 2 weeks, but she'll still need to take it next year.

hi rob n elsa why a bit different 2years after,suppose to be you need to apply a month before the visa expiry thats what the home office adviced us. bcoz i was applied last year

[KeithD]

Well done ELSA

Now you can get rid of the farm boy

[walesrob]

Well done ELSA

Now you can get rid of the farm boy

Hey, its better than being a robbing scouse

[KeithD]

Hey, its better than being a robbing scouse

Glad I'm an angel then

[joebloggs]

walesrob

did you send a cover letter when you applied for ILR ? or just your evidence ?

ta

[andypaul]

So the missus has got her test certificate saying she knows more about the uk than us brits by birth. Let battle comence with the set m application form. We have decidesd to have a day in croydon and give the goverment a grand as we think they are so wonderful as im sure your all agree.
the wife got her visa issued on the 27th of september 05 and we got into the country october 15th. So we should be applying in september or august?

[joebloggs]

you can apply upto 28 days before the 15th of oct 2007


and good luck, iam waiting for the answer for my wifes and stepsons ILR should be any day now..

[andypaul]

Cheers joe cant wait to blow a grand in croydon.
but hopefully it will cut out all the waiting business out had enough of that with the visa almost two years ago.
Also not keen sending enough id and info to have us cloned to death though the post
hopefully your applications will be sorted

[joebloggs]

well i've had to pay for 2 apps, £1500 , i don't want to give them an extra £400, so i've posted them.

hahaha, oh ind never amaze me, they've amended the set (m) form, they have at last inserted a bank page in between the pay and application parts, i came across the problem, when i printed out the forms on a duplex printer, so it printed on both sides, and they up, and forgot to mention that, the payment and apps form will be seperated by them, only you couldnt if you printed on both sides, becuase both forms over lapped !!!. i realised this and ended up printing the forms on single sided paper..

oh thats not the only thing Ind messed up, someone put confidential information on the web site, that was not meant for disclosure

tut tut ind , get your act togther , or i'll want MY MONEY BACK, and this time spell my wifes and stepsons name right, or you should all have to do the 'living in the uk' test

[andypaul]

Your right it is expensive and the amount you gotta pay for your wife and son makes a big differnce if you send postal. So i cant blame you doing it that way.

good to know about how the form is devided and like you i would have printed duplex.

something as simple as adding a blank page probably took months to achieve and yet anybody with a pdf editor could add a blank page in seconds to the file grr.

better start printing out that form now and going though the huge object that is the missus visa evidence and info file that should keep me busy for the rest of the day

[andypaul]

Just going though the lovely form as i type this out. We should have more than enough of the paperwork required. Just reading the Evidence of finaces does it basically mean for the average person just show three months of Bank statments for the two of you?

Also it mentions

or other formal documents as evidence of your and your partner’s ability to maintain and accommodate yourselves and any dependants without
recourse to public funds.

I presume i just show the deeds to our flat to show we own it outright?

[joebloggs]

about the form, on the old SET forms there was a blank page, and it did actually tell you that the forms would be seperated, so that your information would not be seen by the company who process the payment side. but they missed all this out on the new updated form in april ... the one i downloaded in april was 16 pages, the new one is 17 pages

so some people who printed it out in duplex, must have sent the forms, and when they got to ind they couldnt seperate them, as the payment details were on the front and the applicants details were on the back . pure genius of the people at ind


bank statements i sent 6 months of mine and 6 months of my wifes, yes it does say 3 months, but i had them already there from applying for FLR.

yes same as FLR or your spouse visa, certified copy of your deeds, i sent certified copy of the deeds and land registry doc, just to show the size of the house, as there are 5 of us here

i should have mentioned, my parents were immigrants here 60 years ago, maybe i wouldnt have to pay or apply for a visa

[andypaul]

about the form, on the old SET forms there was a blank page, and it did actually tell you that the forms would be seperated, so that your information would not be seen by the company who process the payment side. but they missed all this out on the new updated form in april ... the one i downloaded in april was 16 pages, the new one is 17 pages

so some people who printed it out in duplex, must have sent the forms, and when they got to ind they couldnt seperate them, as the payment details were on the front and the applicants details were on the back . pure genius of the people at ind


bank statements i sent 6 months of mine and 6 months of my wifes, yes it does say 3 months, but i had them already there from applying for FLR.

yes same as FLR or your spouse visa, certified copy of your deeds, i sent certified copy of the deeds and land registry doc, just to show the size of the house, as there are 5 of us here

i should have mentioned, my parents were immigrants here 60 years ago, maybe i wouldnt have to pay or apply for a visa

I noticed a big note on the set(m) pdf about making sure you printed it with the blank page, when i downloaded it earlier. I guess it caused them just a few complaints.

So it looks we will be taking a huge folder or two with us.

Better start getting in shape to hold the file, as i hear you have to hang around for a "few hours" down lunar house

[joebloggs]

lunar or lunatic house



oh only joking ind you do a fantastic job

good luck thou

[andypaul]

lunar or lunatic house



oh only joking ind you do a fantastic job

good luck thou

[Gavanddal]

Better start getting in shape to hold the file, as i hear you have to hang around for a "few hours" down lunar house

You must be mad! I'm never going there again, worst day of my life when we went for the wifes LTR.
6 hours queuing outside only to be told when we got to the front of the queue that they were too busy and we'd have to come back!! Anyway, we did get seen in the end.
No, we've just sent the SET M off for her ILR and saved the money and the grief.

It was surprisingly hard to find 20 items showing we'd been living together for the last two years. Yes, we had documents with my name and address on, some with hers and a few with joint names, but we certainly didn't have loads of documents covering the last two years, who does?
Most of the bills are in my sole name as I'm the breadwinner and I pay all the bills. Didn't seem much point putting them in joint names.

Anyway, guess I'd better save up another £600 or so for her citizenship next year.

Gavin