Living in the UK update. Nick & Ella.

[Nick-and-Ella]

Hi All,

As stated in response to another thread, Ella has now been here in UK for 18 months, she also has been working for nearly all that time where she is very well thought of, in a local restaurant.
We've recently had a great 6 weeks holiday in PH, mostly in Siquijor, but also visited Camiguin & Iligan.

Next steps for us in the process are Life in the UK test, then in Nov 2016 Ella's spouse visa expires, so although I'm not too sure what will be required at that time, I'm sure we'll manage that hurdle when it comes.
One slight worry is that Ella's PH passport export expires in 2018, so if anyone could tell me for certain that a PH passport can be renewed here or whether we'll need to go to PH for that process, then that will be a big help.

One more thing, Ella is pregnant!!!!!!!!

We are now talking about where the birth should happen, here in UK or back in PH so Ella has the support of her family. My feeling is that life for us & the nipper will be much more straightforward if the birth takes place here in the UK.

Just to add, at present I'm still working on a ship; 3 moths on/off.

Any thoughts or advice will be appreciated!

[grahamw48]

Thanks for the update...and great to know that your partner has settled in so well.

Congratulations on the upcoming happy event too.

I would recommend that you arrange for the baby to be born in the UK (as was my first son)...no-brainer really.

His first visit to the Phils was at age 3 months anyway (for 4 months)...complete with his own British passport.

[Terpe]

Firstly, congratulations on the baby news.

As stated in response to another thread, Ella has now been here in UK for 18 months, she also has been working for nearly all that time where she is very well thought of, in a local restaurant.

Great to learn Ella has settled in so well. It's a big help to find a job you enjoy doing.

Next steps for us in the process are Life in the UK test, then in Nov 2016 Ella's spouse visa expires, so although I'm not too sure what will be required at that time, I'm sure we'll manage that hurdle when it comes.

Are you on the 5 year to settlement route ?
If so then the next step will FLR(M) for another period of 30 months.
Then it'll be ILR

One slight worry is that Ella's PH passport export expires in 2018, so if anyone could tell me for certain that a PH passport can be renewed here or whether we'll need to go to PH for that process, then that will be a big help.

That's no problem as it can be done at the Philippine Embassy in London.
It'll take 12-18 weeks as it gets done in Manila so be aware of that

On the birth, I agree with Graham it's got to be UK
The positive for the child will be that their British Citizenship will be able to be passed on down the line

[Nick-and-Ella]

Thanks for the update...and great to know that your partner has settled in so well.

Congratulations on the upcoming happy event too.

I would recommend that you arrange for the baby to be born in the UK (as was my first son)...no-brainer really.

His first visit to the Phils was at age 3 months anyway (for 4 months)...complete with his own British passport.

Thanks for the advice Graham.

[Nick-and-Ella]

Firstly, congratulations on the baby news.



Great to learn Ella has settled in so well. It's a big help to find a job you enjoy doing.



Are you on the 5 year to settlement route ?
If so then the next step will FLR(M) for another period of 30 months.
Then it'll be ILR



That's no problem as it can be done at the Philippine Embassy in London.
It'll take 12-18 weeks as it gets done in Manila so be aware of that

On the birth, I agree with Graham it's got to be UK
The positive for the child will be that their British Citizenship will be able to be passed on down the line

Thanks for the advice; I'm on the ship & wifi here is diabolical, so haven't been able to check for a while. I'm home in January so aim to hit the ground running at that time with the next steps.
We are on the 5 year settlement route so it will be an extension of 3 years I believe until ILR.

[DAnn]

Hi all! I'm on a spouse visa. Will be applying for FLR(M) next year. When is the Life In The UK test required? Is it a requirement for FLR(M) application?

[DAnn]

Hi All,


One more thing, Ella is pregnant!!!!!!!!

And congratulations on the baby! We are pregnant too! Exciting times!

[Arthur Little]

Hi all! I'm on a spouse visa. Will be applying for FLR(M) next year. When is the Life In The UK test required? Is it a requirement for FLR(M) application?

Hello, DAnn ... the *Life in the UK Test isn't a prerequisite for FLR(M), ... but must be taken prior to applying for ILR. So ... being on the 5-year settlement route you've plenty of time to prepare for it in advance. Having said that, there's nothing to stop you studying for - and sitting - *it ... ... as soon as you choose; indeed, IMO, the earlier the better ... since doing this will get it out of the way, and be one thing less to trouble you when the time comes for applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

[Arthur Little]

We are pregnant too! Exciting times!

Oh WOW! 's GREAT news, CONGRATULATIONS ... your Maternity Leave could even turn out to be an ideal opportunity for a spot of pre~test revision!

[DAnn]

Hello, DAnn ... the *Life in the UK Test isn't a prerequisite for FLR(M), ... but must be taken prior to applying for ILR. So ... being on the 5-year settlement route you've plenty of time to prepare for it in advance. Having said that, there's nothing to stop you studying for - and sitting - *it ... ... as soon as you choose; indeed, IMO, the earlier the better ... since doing this will get it out of the way, and be one thing less to trouble you when the time comes for applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

Thank you Arthur Little! And yes I agree! With a baby coming soon maybe best to get the Life in the UK test done and out of the way soon as possible.

[DAnn]

Thank you Arthur Little! And yes I agree! With a baby coming soon maybe best to get the Life in the UK test done and out of the way soon as possible.

Thanks again! Yes that's a good idea!!!

[Michael Parnham]

Good luck Nick & Ella also Good luck to you too DAnn

[lordna]

congrats nick & ella........Shoreham by the sea is not far from us in East Grinstead (also West Sussex)

[Terpe]

Thanks for the advice; I'm on the ship & wifi here is diabolical, so haven't been able to check for a while. I'm home in January so aim to hit the ground running at that time with the next steps.
We are on the 5 year settlement route so it will be an extension of 3 years I believe until ILR.

It'll be Further Leave to Remain (FLR) for another period of 30 months

[Terpe]

Thank you Arthur Little! And yes I agree! With a baby coming soon maybe best to get the Life in the UK test done and out of the way soon as possible.

It's a good time to double check the UKVI English language tests as a lot of changes and confusions have cropped up recently.
Maybe a good time to secure a B1 level from the new list as that'll be the requirement for ILR and British Citizenship

Congratulations on your wonderful news

[DAnn]

Good luck Nick & Ella also Good luck to you too DAnn

Thank you Michael Parnham! :-)

[DAnn]

It's a good time to double check the UKVI English language tests as a lot of changes and confusions have cropped up recently.
Maybe a good time to secure a B1 level from the new list as that'll be the requirement for ILR and British Citizenship

Congratulations on your wonderful news

Thank you Terpe! We will check that out. It was all already confusing as it was oh dear! Thanks again ��