Thanks very much CR001 for the quick response!

Not sure where I got the idea that the YMS visa counted towards my wife's 5 years - but as you say it's wrong.
Think I agree and we'll hold off till after our holiday in Jan just to be safe.

Many thanks!

Hi, We're about to apply for my wife's ILR (M). I see the current timescales are just over 4, potentially up to 6 months. Couple of quirks for us different to most: Timeline: Oct 2015 - Youth Mobility Scheme Visa starts (2 years) Oct 2017 - Applied for FLR (M) at centre, FLR(M) granted for initial p...

Another option is to try different nearby registry offices until you find one which will see you sooner and have the service sooner.
Would mean the civil partnership ceremony would need to take place in the same region as the registry office you registered the service with however.

Hi, We've just been successful in obtaining my wife's FLR (M) this morning at the Glasgow Service Centre. Absolutely delighted! :D I thought I'd share a few tips to help people in future. Particularly as my accounting dates for my sole trader business (earning around £23k a year) run from May - May ...

Hi Ricky, Thanks again for your input. I am doing my tax return correctly and lawfully, as clarified by several accountants and HMRC itself. I pay tax for the tax year 6th April 2016 - 5th April 2017 on my profits from my accounting period from 9th May 2015 - 8th May 2016 (It might seem weird, but t...

Thanks again Ricky, that's exactly the way I would interpret it too. I'm just concerned from reading here and other forums the advice to sole traders has consistently been "you need to have accounts from 6th April - 5th April or else they will not grant the Visa / FLR!". Can I ask have you been thro...

My understanding is they used to ask for proof of class 2 NI contributions as they used to be paid quarterly by direct debit, but now are collected at the same time as the tax bill is paid. Instead of asking for proof of class 2 NI contributions they ask for proof that the business is still running,...

Thanks for your input Ricky, do you speak from experience of going down this route? Just everyone else I have seen on forums etc has seemed to suggest it will not be allowed, and my accounting year should be April - April (at least to meet the Visa requirements).

Hi, My wife is Canadian, we married here in March, and we've our appointment booked at a service centre in just under 3 weeks for our first FLR (M). She's on a Tier 5 YMS Visa at present. We're using my income as a self employed sole trader to reach the required amount (My income's around £24k per y...