The next step ILR

[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

[walesrob]

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

Ok, I was told by IND that the actual expiry date of the Spouse Visa would be 2 years from date of entry into the UK, not necessarily the visa expiry date as I had thought. We did discuss this before on the forum, but I cant find the thread.

I called IND in Croydon and Birmingham and they confirmed, you need to apply within 28 days BEFORE your visa expires, not a month.

[joebloggs]

yes from what ive read sounds your right, if your visa expires end of feb, but your wife needs to be actually in the UK 2 yrs (well 23 months) before you can apply for ILR, but you can send the application within 28 days of her being 2 yrs in the UK, meaning mid feb, then she will not be breaching her visa. from what i gathered from the IND website, as long as they have your application before your visa expires, your visa is still valid until they make a decsion, even if your visa has expired while they are deciding.(your wife arrived 2wks after visa was issued)

my case is different, visa was issued mid march 2005, my wife didnt arrive in UK until ealry may, so her 2 yr visa runs out mid march this year, so she will have only been in the uk for 22 months when the visa expires, not 2 years (23 months) !!, so i need and have applied for FLR which should be granted until my wife has been here for 2 yrs, so i can apply for ILR 28 days before shes been here 2 yrs, a bit of an expensive mistake on my part.. (my wife arrived 7wks after visa was issued)

in simple terms. if you arrive in the UK more than 28 days after the visa was issued ( NOT WHEN YOU ARRIVED IN THE UK) you need to apply for FLR to extend your visa until you been here 2yrs (23 months).


ROB!! has you booked you wife for the "living in the uk " test, dont you need to do that before they will give you ILR ????
iam booking my wife in march to do it, before they expand the chapters you need to read.

good luck with the visa

[walesrob]

ROB!! has you booked you wife for the "living in the uk " test, dont you need to do that before they will give you ILR ????
iam booking my wife in march to do it, before they expand the chapters you need to read.

good luck with the visa

The Life in the UK Test doesn't kick in till April 1st, so Elsa will escape that by 2 weeks.

I'll let you know how it goes.

[walesrob]

The application for ILR is on its way tomorrow morning, along with £335 Should be easy - we haven't any little Robs or Elsas (yet!) nor have we moved in the last 2 years, and we certainly haven't been involved in or comissioned any acts of terrorism against humanity, nor have we been financing a terrorist group (Plaid Cymru doesn't count isn't it)

Oh joy, next year it will be another £500 for naturalization . Ker-ching!

[joebloggs]

Rob,

I've still not heard anything for our app for FLR which i posted on the 24th of jan, looking at the IND web site they are processing Jan's app, so i think there is a backlog of 4-5 wks.

Iam hoping to have an answer this week or next week, and then apply for ILR start of april.

more money

[andypaul]

The application for ILR is on its way tomorrow morning, along with £335 Should be easy - we haven't any little Robs or Elsas (yet!) nor have we moved in the last 2 years, and we certainly haven't been involved in or comissioned any acts of terrorism against humanity, nor have we been financing a terrorist group (Plaid Cymru doesn't count isn't it)

Oh joy, next year it will be another £500 for naturalization . Ker-ching!

Good luck Elsa and Rob im sure your have no problems

[joebloggs]

Rob,

got my FLR today, until the 10th of may, stupid and waste of time and money, but thats the law

so on the 10 of April, i'll be applying for ILR, but this time it be harder, as my stepson has just turned 18, and thats an extra £335 i need to pay for him and i'll be using the post again, and save £330 !!

so i applied for FLR on the 24th of jan, got the papers back on the 21st of Feb.

saved £165 by using post instead of £500 EXPRESS FEE ! , soon there will be express roads with a toll, and the rich will have them for themselfs while us joebloggs have to use public transport


oh and another moan, my wife took her driving test yesterday, and failed because she was driving too slow ! she was doing 25mph in a 30 !!! becuase a queue of cars were building up behind her, the gov tell you reduce speed, speed kills, and next you fail for not driving to the limit !! its a test !!! what they want you to do be dead on 30pmh !! ? , i bet if she drove 35mph she be breaking the law, and fail for going too fast,,,

[vbkelly]

Ok, I was told by IND that the actual expiry date of the Spouse Visa would be 2 years from date of entry into the UK, not necessarily the visa expiry date as I had thought. We did discuss this before on the forum, but I cant find the thread.

I called IND in Croydon and Birmingham and they confirmed, you need to apply within 28 days BEFORE your visa expires, not a month.

yes you right bcoz i was remember they depend what date im arrived in UK,anyway my schedule of British citizenship UK test is this coming february 19 cheer