Best route from FLR(M) to ILR?

Hi- I'm wondering what the best and cheapest route is to ILR? I'm currently on a FLR(M) as an unwed spouse. I've been in the UK for 7 years (originally from USA)- first as a student, then post-study work and now FLR(M). I work full-time as a project manager (£29,000 per annum) and my partner is a British Citizen (£28,000). My current visa (2.5 years) expires on 25 Dec 2016 and from what I can tell- I'll have to apply for another 2.5 year FLRM visa, then SET (O) and then finally ILR which seems like an incredibly long and expensive process. I'm desperate to find out if there's another way? If anyone could help- I would be incredibly grateful! Thank you in advance!!

Hi- I'm wondering what the best and cheapest route is to ILR?

I'm currently on a FLR(M) as an unwed spouse to a British Citizen I've been in the UK for 7 years (originally from USA)- first as a student, then post-study work and now FLR(M). My current visa (2.5 years) expires on 25 Dec 2016 and from what I can tell- I'll have to apply for another 2.5 year FLRM visa, then SET (O) and then finally ILR which seems like an incredibly long and expensive process. I'm desperate to find out if there's another way?

Not sure if helps with eligibility at all- but English is my first language, I have 2 degrees from the UK (a BA and a MSc) and am currently making £29,000 per annum working as a project manager for a charity. I haven't left the UK longer than 6 weeks in over 7 years. My partner is a British Citizen and makes £28,000 per annum. We've been together for over 5 years and living together as a spouse for 3 years and would have no problem proving our relationship.

If anyone could help or if you knew anyone or even a central-London based solicitor- I would be eternally grateful. Thank you in advance!!!!!!

No, there is no 'less expensive or quicker' way. Fees are going up in April, quite steeply and you will now also have to pay the £500 immigration health surcharge before you can submit your FLR(M) application.

You need either 5 years on FLR(M) to qualify for ILR on Set(M) or you need 10 years residence with a combination of your visas to qualify for ILR based on long residence on form Set(LR).

Unless you are applying for 10 year long residence - SET(LR) you will apply for SET(M) as soon as you have completed the full 5 year period as an unmarried partner. If you marry in the meantime, you would be able to apply for British citizenship immediately after being granted ILR (assuming you meet all the standard requirements). Otherwise, as an unmarried partner your will have to complete a full 12 months of residence following ILR.
The Immigration Rules of course, could change before then.
A pass certificate for the Life in the UK test is required when applying for ILR.

As far as costs are concerned, fees are increasing in April. FLR(M) will be £811 postal, or £1311 if submitted in person (+ £500 NHS surcharge).
ILR will be £1875, or £2375 if submitted in person.

If people can pay the fees on an income of £18,600 pa I'm sure you'll manage on a combined £57,000!

There's no shortcuts, none at all.

joood wrote:Hi- I'm wondering what the best and cheapest route is to ILR?
...
which seems like an incredibly long and expensive process. I'm desperate to find out if there's another way? If anyone could help- I would be incredibly grateful! Thank you in advance!!

The clear policy of HMG & HO is that users & consumers of a service 'contribute' & (help) pay for the service.

As a British-born tax-payer I sometimes feel I have paid twice or thrice but that's still the long & short of it.

Thanks everyone for your help with this- I really appreciate it!

I posted my income in case there might be another Tier that I should switch to that might be an easier route to ILR- for example Tier 1 General Migrant? But based on the points system I don't think I earn enough to qualify for this and they've closed this route? I can't find that much information. It's just frustrating that my student years don't count for any of the 5 years required for ILR but oh well.

Thanks again!

joood wrote:Thanks everyone for your help with this- I really appreciate it!

I posted my income in case there might be another Tier that I should switch to that might be an easier route to ILR- for example Tier 1 General Migrant? But based on the points system I don't think I earn enough to qualify for this and they've closed this route? I can't find that much information. It's just frustrating that my student years don't count for any of the 5 years required for ILR but oh well.

Thanks again!

T1G was five years anyway and if it was still around you'd start from zero on that. Five years on student visa would count towards 10 years long residency. If you'd married (not partner) prior to Jul 2012 it was a three year road to ILR then. That was the quickest route, now the five year one you're on is the the quickest for you.

The student years count towards the 10 year long residence route.

The student route is not meant to qualify you towards settling you in the UK. You are meant to return to your home country after our studies. That is the rationale of not counting student years (or I believe, even years under the Post Study Worker visas) towards any visa that would lead to settlement.