This may help some intitial questions:-
APPENDIX A: SUMMARY OF KEY CHANGES FOR PARTNERS
Current 2 year route
Visa and Leave to Remain Requirements
- Minimum age of 18
- Basic English (A1 of CEFR)
- Test of relationship - subsisting requirement
- Adequate maintenance (Income Support level for a family of that size) and accommodation
Initial 24 month (2 year) probationary period (FLR)
Settlement requirements (ILR) - After 24 months (2 years) probationary period
- Integration requirement (B1 level, Life in UK Test. (or below B1 level ESOL course)
- Test of relationship - subsisting requirement
- Good character, no unspent convictions
- Adequate maintenance (Income Support level for a family of that size) and accommodation
So really no changes apart from the addition of B1 level for English
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New 5 year route Effective 9th July
Visa and Leave to Remain Requirements
- Minimum age of 18
- Basic English (A1 of CEFR)
- Test of relationship - genuine and subsisting requirement. (clear and objective factors for decision-making.)
- New minimum income threshold of £18600 for sponsors, with higher thresholds for children
- Adequate accommodation - not overcrowding
- New criminality threshold
5 year probationary period for ALL
After initial 30 months (2.5 years) living in UK
- Renew Leave to Remain in-country after 2.5 years
- Meet the minimum income threshold
- Genuine relationship
After second period of 30 months (2.5 years)
Settlement requirements (ILR)
- Life in the UK Test
- B1 level of English
- Test of relationship
- genuine and subsisting requirement (clear and objective factors for decision-making.)
- Meet the minimum income threshold
- Adequate accommodation - not overcrowding
- Good character, no unspent convictions
Sourced from Appendix A of the UKBA Statement of Intent
