ILR spouse 5 years residency completed. FLR visa valid for another 6 months

Bbarr12 wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 19, 2022 2:13 pm

Because of covid 30months FLR visa extension was issued LATE in November 2020. The application was submitted on time in April 2020

My wife arrived in the UK in September 2017. Her 5 years of residency are now complete. However her FLR visa does not expire until May 2023.

Should we apply for FLR now? I am confused because it is advised on the application form to not submit application earlier than 28 days before the end of her visa. If the application for FLRM was done while the initial spouse visa was still valid she can apply within 28days before completing 60months or 5years in UK. The FLRM expiry date of May 2023 is due to the issue date, I.e. the epmonths extension was calculated by CW from issue date.

A further complication is that we as a family with our 2 children have stayed abroad for 18 months continuously. We arrived back in the UK july 2022.

Whilst we were abroad my UK business was still operating and was our only source of income.

Does staying abroad so long effect ILR application? There's no absence limit on spouse visa route and once all requirements are met, application can be made.
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