Expired UK Resident Permit - 25th August

[john_spiral]

Hi,

I came to the UK two years ago from South Africa on a marriage visa (UK Entry Clearance Visa) to marry a local girl from Kent.

We got married and I got a two year Residence Permit (expires 25 AUG 07) in my passport. At the time I received a letter from the Home Office stating I was to contact them “shortlyâ€

[IMMIGRATION LAWYER]

Hello,

Bad news. You have just lost your earned 2 years residence in the UK and technically must do the whole thing again.

At the same time the Home Office may exercise their discretion is properly represneted, and you could still get your ILR.

You must now lodge your SET(M) as soon as possible with proper explanations or seek legal advice if in doubt.

[JAJ]

[quote="john_spiral"]
I thought two weeks would have been ample time to organise the legitimacy of my stay in the UK. I’ve subsequently passed the “Life in the UKâ€

[Dawie]

If you had come onto this board and posted this question even a few days before your permit was due to expire we could have helped you by instructing you to apply for ILR by post (in which case your current immigration status would have been "frozen" on the date on which they would have received it while they considered it).

However you are now in a precarious position because you are now effectively illegally in the UK.

[john_spiral]

Thank you to all those who have responded to this thread.

I'm making a late postal application with a well thought out covering letter attached that explains my reasons for a late submission.

fingers crossed.

we wait and see.

thanks again.

John

[ismangil]

So to recap for others who might be reading this thread:

- You can apply up to 28 days before expiry
- For Life in the UK test, you can take it well before that, as it has no expiry date.
- If you can't get same day PEO appointment, apply by post (Special Delivery) making sure it arrives at Home Office before expiry date.

Good luck!

[john_spiral]

Hi,

I know it's been a long while since I got my ILR but I thought I would post a thank you to those on the forum & encouragement to those in a similar predicament.

If you have left it really late, get your test done ASAP.

Post the forms off via some type of signed for/registered mail, even if it's on the last day of your legal stay in the UK. This is still technically legal.

In my case I posted off the forms late but I put together a nicely worded letter and as much proof of cohabitation as possible.

hope this helps

John

[vinny]

Congratulations! It would be interesting to know a bit more details about your nicely worded letter.

So to recap for others who might be reading this thread:

- You can apply up to 28 days before expiry
- For Life in the UK test, you can take it well before that, as it has no expiry date.
- If you can't get same day PEO appointment, apply by post (Special Delivery) making sure it arrives at Home Office before expiry date.

Good luck!

- You may apply on form SET(M) before your spouse visa expires, but no sooner than 28 days (4 weeks) before the 2nd anniversary of your initial entry date into the UK (see Chapter 8 - Family members, Section 1 - Spouses 4.3).

- When making an application:

The date of application is that on which you post it or have it accepted in person at a PEO.

Advise that all spouse visa holders read the requirements of form SET(M) and SET(M) guidance, available on Application forms, as soon as possible.

[SYH]

Hi,

I know it's been a long while since I got my ILR but I thought I would post a thank you to those on the forum & encouragement to those in a similar predicament.

If you have left it really late, get your test done ASAP.

Post the forms off via some type of signed for/registered mail, even if it's on the last day of your legal stay in the UK. This is still technically legal.

In my case I posted off the forms late but I put together a nicely worded letter and as much proof of cohabitation as possible.

hope this helps

John

Also Congrats.
You see, they held you up 3 months for being silly and posting late.
You know you got real lucky.
Do post your letter

[john_spiral]

No they didn't hold me up.

I got the ILR a few weeks after submitting the form.

thought I would come back and say thanks!

and help others in the same situation.

[SYH]

No they didn't hold me up.

I got the ILR a few weeks after submitting the form.

thought I would come back and say thanks!

and help others in the same situation.

Then that's very kind of them, wasn't it
Are you going to post the letter you sent them??