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When to apply for ILR after 5 years of family visa
Posted: Thu May 23, 2019 2:07 am
by wxyuanilr
I have settled (ILR) in the UK since January 2014. My wife & son applied for family visa in order to join me in the UK, and that was granted on the 6th of April 2014. They first arrived in England on the 2nd of July 2014. Would anyone be able to advise when my wife & son will become eligible to apply for ILR? Would that be:
1) the 6th of April 2019 (5 years from the start date of their first family visa), or
2) the 2nd of July 2019 (5 years from the day when they first entered the UK on their family visa), or
3) the 4th of June 2019 (28 days before the 5th anniversary of their first entry to the UK on their family visa), or
4) something else?
If you have an answer, could you include a link to the relevant official document on UKVI's website please?
Re: When to apply for ILR after 5 years of family visa
Posted: Thu May 23, 2019 2:15 am
by wxyuanilr
Also, in the online application form, there is a question asking how you you have been living in the UK. Should that be the actual length of stay from when they first entered the UK on their family visa till today? That will be 4 years 11 months though. Or should we just put 5 years 0 month there?
Re: When to apply for ILR after 5 years of family visa
Posted: Thu May 23, 2019 2:32 am
by Casa
wxyuanilr wrote: ↑Thu May 23, 2019 2:07 am
I have settled (ILR) in the UK since January 2014. My wife & son applied for family visa in order to join me in the UK, and that was granted on the 6th of April 2014. They first arrived in England on the 2nd of July 2014. Would anyone be able to advise when my wife & son will become eligible to apply for ILR? Would that be:
1) the 6th of April 2019 (5 years from the start date of their first family visa), or
2) the 2nd of July 2019 (5 years from the day when they first entered the UK on their family visa), or
3) the 4th of June 2019 (28 days before the 5th anniversary of their first entry to the UK on their family visa)
This one
4) something else?
If you have an answer, could you include a link to the relevant official document on UKVI's website please?
"
Calculating the specified continuous period
Applicants can submit a settlement application up to 28 days before they would
reach the end of the specified period."
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... -v18.0.pdf
Re: When to apply for ILR after 5 years of family visa
Posted: Thu May 23, 2019 2:33 am
by Casa
wxyuanilr wrote: ↑Thu May 23, 2019 2:15 am
Also, in the online application form, there is a question asking how you you have been living in the UK. Should that be the actual length of stay from when they first entered the UK on their family visa till today? That will be 4 years 11 months though. Or should we just put 5 years 0 month there?
4 years 11 months
Re: When to apply for ILR after 5 years of family visa
Posted: Fri May 31, 2019 7:26 pm
by wxyuanilr
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... pdf#page=8 says:
The period between entry clearance being issued and the applicant entering the UK may be counted toward the qualifying period. Any absences between the date of issue and entry to the UK are considered an allowable absence. This period will count towards the 180 days allowable absence in the continuous 12-month period. The applicant does not need to provide evidence to demonstrate the reason for delayed entry.
Does that mean I can count the 5-year qualifying period from the 6th of April 2014 which is the start date of their first family/partner visa, rather than the 2nd of July 2014 which is the date of their first entry into the UK?
Re: When to apply for ILR after 5 years of family visa
Posted: Fri May 31, 2019 7:29 pm
by CR001
wxyuanilr wrote: ↑Fri May 31, 2019 7:26 pm
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... pdf#page=8 says:
The period between entry clearance being issued and the applicant entering the UK may be counted toward the qualifying period. Any absences between the date of issue and entry to the UK are considered an allowable absence. This period will count towards the 180 days allowable absence in the continuous 12-month period. The applicant does not need to provide evidence to demonstrate the reason for delayed entry.
Does that mean I can count the 5-year qualifying period from the 6th of April 2014 which is the start date of their first family/partner visa, rather than the 2nd of July 2014 which is their date of first entry into the UK?
No you cannot. As they hold spouse/child settlement visas, it starts counting from the date they ENTERED the UK.
The link and document you are referring to is NOT for spouse settlement visas but for Points Based System and Ancestry or other 'work' visas, as clearly stated on page 4 of the document.
Re: When to apply for ILR after 5 years of family visa
Posted: Fri May 31, 2019 7:59 pm
by wxyuanilr
That's a link given by Casa though? If you don't think it applies, would it be possible to give me a link to the right document? Many thanks.
Re: When to apply for ILR after 5 years of family visa
Posted: Fri May 31, 2019 8:00 pm
by wxyuanilr
Also, would you be able to answer my question in
indefinite-leave-to-remain/absences-of- ... 82417.html as well? Thanks!
Re: When to apply for ILR after 5 years of family visa
Posted: Fri May 31, 2019 8:38 pm
by CR001
That topic has been locked.
There is no absence limit for spouse visa holders.
Casa was specifically referring to the within 28 days before qualifying period.
Re: When to apply for ILR after 5 years of family visa
Posted: Fri May 31, 2019 9:15 pm
by wxyuanilr
Is there a formal document on gov.uk stating 1) there is no absence limit for spouse visa holders, and 2) the 5-year qualifying period starts from the date of first entry? If so, would it be possible to point me at it? I'd like to see if there are any other things I should know from the document, if
indefinite-leave-to-remain/absences-of- ... 82417.html is not the right one to look at.
Re: When to apply for ILR after 5 years of family visa
Posted: Fri May 31, 2019 9:27 pm
by CR001
Immigration Rules Appendix FM
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration ... ly-members
Section E-ILRP: Eligibility for indefinite leave to remain as a partner
E-ILRP.1.1. To meet the eligibility requirements for indefinite leave to remain as a partner all of the requirements of paragraphs E-ILRP.1.2. to 1.6. must be met.
E-ILRP.1.2. The applicant must be in the UK with valid leave to remain as a partner under this Appendix (except that, where paragraph 39E of these Rules applies, any current period of overstaying will be disregarded).
E-ILRP.1.3. (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the applicant must, at the date of application, have completed a continuous period of either:
(a) at least 60 months in the UK with:
(i) leave to enter granted on the basis of entry clearance as a partner granted under paragraph D-ECP.1.1.; or
(ii) limited leave to remain as a partner granted under paragraph D-LTRP.1.1.; or
(iii) a combination of (i) and (ii);
Archived paper Set M form and guidance notes in link below.
https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov ... -form-setm
There is no mention of absence limits because there is no such limits for this visa category so no rules stating anything.
Re: When to apply for ILR after 5 years of family visa
Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2019 12:38 am
by wxyuanilr
Thanks very much indeed. That's really helpful.
One more question: I remember when we applied for further leave to remain, the 6 items of correspondence had to be dated evenly across the 2.5 years period. However, in the new online application form for ILR, it only says "6 letters addressed to you and your partner at the same address to show that you have been living together during the past 2.5 years". Does that mean the 6 letters don't need to be dated evenly across the 2.5 years period anymore? If so, could you also point me at the official document on gov.uk specifying this? Thanks!
Re: When to apply for ILR after 5 years of family visa
Posted: Mon Jun 03, 2019 10:13 pm
by wxyuanilr
wxyuanilr wrote: ↑Sat Jun 01, 2019 12:38 am
Thanks very much indeed. That's really helpful.
One more question: I remember when we applied for further leave to remain, the 6 items of correspondence had to be dated evenly across the 2.5 years period. However, in the new online application form for ILR, it only says "6 letters addressed to you and your partner at the same address to show that you have been living together during the past 2.5 years". Does that mean the 6 letters don't need to be dated evenly across the 2.5 years period anymore? If so, could you also point me at the official document on gov.uk specifying this? Thanks!
As this is a new topic I created a new post for this question, but the post was locked... Does this forum only allow one post per person?
Does anyone have answer to the question on the date of 6 items of correspondence?
Re: When to apply for ILR after 5 years of family visa
Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2019 7:51 pm
by wxyuanilr
CR001 wrote: ↑Fri May 31, 2019 7:29 pm
wxyuanilr wrote: ↑Fri May 31, 2019 7:26 pm
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... pdf#page=8 says:
The period between entry clearance being issued and the applicant entering the UK may be counted toward the qualifying period. Any absences between the date of issue and entry to the UK are considered an allowable absence. This period will count towards the 180 days allowable absence in the continuous 12-month period. The applicant does not need to provide evidence to demonstrate the reason for delayed entry.
Does that mean I can count the 5-year qualifying period from the 6th of April 2014 which is the start date of their first family/partner visa, rather than the 2nd of July 2014 which is their date of first entry into the UK?
No you cannot. As they hold spouse/child settlement visas, it starts counting from the date they ENTERED the UK.
The link and document you are referring to is NOT for spouse settlement visas but for Points Based System and Ancestry or other 'work' visas, as clearly stated on page 4 of the document.
However,
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... pdf#page=9 seems the only formal document stating that the application for ILR can be made up to 28 days before the end of the qualifying period?
Is there any formal document which applies to SET(M) application (5-year route as partner/child of a settled person) and states that an SET(M) application can be made up to 28 days before the end of the qualifying period?
Also, I might use a super priority service if I can have an appointment within a week or so, but is there a way to find out the earliest appointment date before paying? If after paying, the earliest appointment date turns out to be too late, would it be possible to switch to the standard service (by post) and get refund?
Re: When to apply for ILR after 5 years of family visa
Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2019 8:37 pm
by CR001
All ILR routes can apply within 28 days before the end of the qualifying period!! See pge 5 in the set m paper guidance notes in the link below.
https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov ... -form-setm
You will only know appointment availability once you progress through the online application form.
Note that date of application is date you submit and pay online and not the date of your appointment at ukcvas service. The appointment can be after visa expiry. No way to upgrade or downgrade the application once paid.
Re: When to apply for ILR after 5 years of family visa
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:17 am
by wxyuanilr
Thank you @CR001
We have just submitted our SET(M) application online for my wife and child who have lived with me in the UK for nearly 5 years (only 26 days short of 5 years). However, when I reached the payment page, I was presented a strange message saying "You are paying for an application on a Set(M) for Ms <wife's name> and a PBS Dependant application for Mr <child's name>".
How can that be PBS Dependant application for my child? I thought my child should also expect ILR, rather than a PBS Dependant visa which is completely irrelevant. Any idea?
Re: When to apply for ILR after 5 years of family visa
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 10:41 am
by wxyuanilr
"You are paying for an application on a Set(M) for Ms <wife's name> and a PBS Dependant application for Mr <child's name>".
How can that be possible? Could the "PBS" be a typo made by the online application system? It should definitely be Set(M) dependent instead.
The application has been submitted anyway. Should I ignore that and pay?
Any advice would be appreciated!
Re: When to apply for ILR after 5 years of family visa
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 5:21 pm
by wxyuanilr
I remember when I applied for ILR using the same-day service 5 years ago, I needed to wait near the public enquiry office after submitting all the documents, and the immigration officer gave me a phone call in approx. 3 hours asking me to return to the public enquiry office to collect the results and documents. Is the process similar in today's Sopra Steria core offices, or will they notify my wife of the results by email and return the documents by post in which case there's no need for my wife to return to the Sopra Steria office after submission?
Re: When to apply for ILR after 5 years of family visa
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 5:37 pm
by CR001
Sopra steria is only a third party agent. They are not HO staff or caseworkers and the applications are not processed at their offices by their staff either. Ukvi/HO still has full control of application processing. Sopra only check the uploaded document are fine and enroll biometrics. They don't offer advice or tell you if you have missed anything or if you qualify or applied on the correct form.
They do not take your original documents. The whole point of the service is you get to keep hold of your originals. No originals get sent to the home office.
Your spouse will be notified by HO of the outcome of the result. Likely by email and then brpc card and/or letter.
Re: When to apply for ILR after 5 years of family visa
Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2019 5:00 pm
by wxyuanilr
Thank you @CR001 for your reply. So the Public Enquiry Offices have all been closed and replaced by Sopra Steria? Am I right that Sopra Steria will check & verify our original documents on behalf of UKVI during the appointment, while the UKVI officers will only look at the scanned copies and rely on Sopra Steria's checking of the originals?
Re: When to apply for ILR after 5 years of family visa
Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2019 6:08 pm
by CR001
So the Public Enquiry Offices have all been closed and replaced by Sopra Steria?
Yes. But the PEOs were hi staff and caseworkers. Sopra is not.
Am I right that Sopra Steria will check & verify our original documents on behalf of UKVI during the appointment, while the UKVI officers will only look at the scanned copies and rely on Sopra Steria's checking of the originals?
Yes.
Re: When to apply for ILR after 5 years of family visa
Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2019 5:20 pm
by wxyuanilr
Our application for ILR using super priorty service has been successful.
@CR001 and @Casa, thank you so much for the valuable info/advice you have provided in this thread. That was really helpful!
One last question, any idea how long it normally takes to receive the BRP cards since the email confirming the ILR application has been granted and whether they provide a delivery tracking number?