SET O - Time spent outside the UK

[dblue23]

Hello everyone,

I have just stared the ILR application journey and have discovered this forum recently. Thank you to everyone for sharing your experiences.

I am trying to apply for ILR without using a legal firm and as such coming up with queries that would appreciate if anyone here can guide me based on their experience.

I am Indian and have a Bachelor's degree from a university in the USA. I am trying to figure out how best to get my English language proficiency verified. The gov.uk site says that I need to get this done as I am not a citizen from a set of English speaking countries (e.g. USA). However, when I visit the NARIC website to submit my degree + transcript to get the them to quality my English proficiency, it is asking me to submit a degree which is taught entirely in English and not from the recognised list of English language exempt countries (which includes USA).

I am now confused and unsure how to get my English language proficiency verified.

Thanks in advance.

[CULLINAN]

https://www.gov.uk/english-language/degrees-in-english

If your degree was taught or researched in English

You can prove your knowledge of English by having a degree that was taught or researched in English.

If your degree is not from a UK university you’ll need:

a copy of your degree certificate
an Academic Qualification Level Statement (AQUALS) from UK NARIC confirming the degree is equivalent to a UK qualification.

[dblue23]

Thank you Cullinan, very clear, so really appreciate it.

I have another follow up question - my university degree is in my maiden name, however I have since got married and my surname has changed. Is that going to be an issue as UK NARIC will issue the certification in my maiden surname?

If I submit my marriage certificate with the ILR application, will that address this concern?

Many thanks

[CULLINAN]

It is best to go for a B1 SELT instead. Avoid the complexity and it costs the same. £150

https://www.trinitycollege.com/qualific ... SE-grade-5

[seagul]

I have another follow up question - my university degree is in my maiden name, however I have since got married and my surname has changed. Is that going to be an issue as UK NARIC will issue the certification in my maiden surname?

If I submit my marriage certificate with the ILR application, will that address this concern?

Many thanks

Shouldn't be an issue.

10. I have changed my name. Do I need to send my proof of my name change?
If your surname has changed through marriage, it is not necessary to upload your marriage certificate. If your name has changed for any reason other than marriage, you should upload proof of your name change, for example, a deed poll certificate

https://www.naric.org.uk/qualifications/FAQ.aspx

[dblue23]

Hello,
I am filling out the Set O application. When it asks me if I have spent any time outside the the UK, do I list all my travels in the last 5 years, however short or long? The application is not specific and the exact question is below:

Which countries did you visit or travel through when absent from the UK and Crown Dependencies?

If I have to list all, including short 1-2 night business travel during the last 5 years, I will be doing this all night

[CULLINAN]

All absences from UK during last 5 years qualifying period.

If you left UK on a Monday and returned on a Tuesday, it is not an absence. Only full days are counted. No need to mention as stated above.

However, if you left UK on a Monday and returned on Wed, it is only 1 day absence. You will have to list this.

The form lets you add 30 entries. All the rest, add on a cover letter if need be.

What is your visa category BTW??

[dblue23]

Thanks Cullinan.

Visa category is Tier 2 General.

[dblue23]

Hi Cullinan, others

Need help on another couple of questions being asked for my Tier 2 dependant who has also been on a 5-year visa.

Question 1:
Does the period of stay on which this application was based include any leave granted since 11 January 2018?
I assume 'leave' means visa. So is the question asking whether my dependant was issued any visa after 11/01/2018?

Question 2:
Have you had any absences from the UK during any leave granted since 11 January 2018?
Is this question asking if my partner was out of the country for any reason (absences) after 11/01/2018?

Many thanks in advance.

[srsw]

1. Yes
2. Yes

[dblue23]

Hi srsw,
thanks for the quick reply.

So, I choose No for the first one, as my partner's visa was issued on 2016 for 5 years.

Thereafter, I don't have to list any of her absences at all! DOES THAT SOUND CORRECT? Or am i missing something? Because I had planned on working on the online application over several weeks, but now seems to be done in 2 days.

Thanks in advance.

[srsw]

Hi srsw,
thanks for the quick reply.

So, I choose No for the first one, as my partner's visa was issued on 2016 for 5 years.

Thereafter, I don't have to list any of her absences at all! DOES THAT SOUND CORRECT? Or am i missing something? Because I had planned on working on the online application over several weeks, but now seems to be done in 2 days.

Thanks in advance.

Yep, that's correct.

The application is a quick job but we tend to check 3, 4, ...15 times until submitting the application to make sure the are no mistakes.

[CULLINAN]

Hi srsw,
thanks for the quick reply.

So, I choose No for the first one, as my partner's visa was issued on 2016 for 5 years.

Thereafter, I don't have to list any of her absences at all! DOES THAT SOUND CORRECT? Or am i missing something? Because I had planned on working on the online application over several weeks, but now seems to be done in 2 days.

Thanks in advance.

Your partner must have had an extension also in between. When was the extension issued? Was it before 11th Jan 2018 also??

[dblue23]

Hi Cullinan,
My partner and 2 kids were granted Tier 2 dependant visas for 5 years, so they did not have to renew/reapply for an extension. They entered the UK with me, and now I am adding them to my application.
thanks