Relocating and only visit i have

[dee2103]

Hi all,
I need your advice on this my husband and i been together for over 13 yrs of marriage but we live abroad the whole time .... i only have like 5 years visa so that i can come and visit family all the time.

Now we are moving back for good just wondering if i can apply ILR or FlR while im here in the UK ...some said i have to go back to the Phil to apply for spouse visa some of them said i can apply form here but need to take IELTS exam first before applying a visa to remain in the UK.

Pls help .....

[RickyR]

Hi there,

In many cases it is possible to apply for FLR when in the UK on a different visa catagory. The exact ruling on the website is as follows:

"You will not be able to apply if you came to the UK as a visitor with permission to stay for 6 months - you must leave the UK and apply from your country of residence.

If entered the UK in a different immigration category and you have been given permission to live here for a total of more than 6 months since your most recent admission to the UK. For example, you can switch if we gave you a 3-month visa and then permission to remain for 5 months, totalling 8 months. Your current permission must have been given in accordance with the Immigration Rules, not 'exceptionally' (outside the Immigration Rules)."

There is a page on the UK Border Agency website dedicated to your situation and how to deal with it

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/vi...pplying-in-uk/

[dee2103]

Many thanks for the info