About to apply for husband's ILR, prior to the

[tigrouetoile]

2 years minus 28 days "rule"...

Many thanks for the info provided last year when I asked about doing this when difference of just a few days. In the meantime, we have the form ready to complete and all the necessary documentation, and I am getting nervous! I do have a couple of questions though that I hope someone can help me with:

1.
I have an ISA account with the "Nationwide". This is a book account and I have called "Nationwide" to check but they don't issue statements except the annual statement in March/April. Does this mean I have to send off the actual book? I would rather not, as the Home Office are going to have access to our passports and all the documents you'd need to get money out of it (not that there's much there now we've had to use money from it to pay the ridiculously high fee)!
Could I alternatively photocopy it and send that, explaining the situation and providing a contact no. for "Nationwide"?

2.
When we came to UK, we stayed with my parents for a few days - does this count as an address we have lived at in addition to our current address?
I ask because we came to UK 27/02/2006 but don't want to draw attention to the exact date in February, but only moved to our current address in March 2006. I presumed this address would not count, as we didn't live there, just stayed, but wanted to double check!

3.
As my husband is of course non-EU and wasn't in employment when we got here, we had to register everything in my name and with my bank details. We therefore don't have much in both our names. We do have sufficient documents addressed to us individually at this address but I wondered whether it would be helpful (perhaps in general) to provide a link to our photos online?

4.
What are people's general experiences of

(a) Applying 2 years minus 35 days, for example?

(b) The timeline for ILR applications?

Many thanks!!

Rachel

[SYH]

2 years minus 28 days "rule"...

Many thanks for the info provided last year when I asked about doing this when difference of just a few days. In the meantime, we have the form ready to complete and all the necessary documentation, and I am getting nervous! I do have a couple of questions though that I hope someone can help me with:

1.
I have an ISA account with the "Nationwide". This is a book account and I have called "Nationwide" to check but they don't issue statements except the annual statement in March/April. Normally people send in bank statements of their current account, not their ISA account
2.
When we came to UK, we stayed with my parents for a few days - if it was temporary then it was a visit wasn' it. I ask because we came to UK 27/02/2006 but don't want to draw attention to the exact date in February, why is that?
3.
As my husband is of course non-EU and wasn't in employment when we got here, we had to register everything in my name and with my bank details. We therefore don't have much in both our names. We do have sufficient documents addressed to us individually at this address but I wondered whether it would be helpful (perhaps in general) to provide a link to our photos online? The HO isn't interested in Facebook

4.
What are people's general experiences of

(a) Applying 2 years minus 35 days, for example?
The application 28 days before your eligibility has nothing to do with one's experience. If it is a straightforward application, you will get it returned within the timelines published on the website.Why you want to apply 35 days before is beyond me
(b) The timeline for ILR applications? See above

Many thanks!!

Rachel

[sakura]

If you apply before you are eligible, you will be refused, lose your money and asked to apply again when you meet the requirements. It should be 2 years less 28 days, and even 7 days earlier might result in a refusal. Why risk it?

[vinny]

2. You may include any addresses that you and your husband lived at during the relevant period.

3.

If you do not have enough items in your joint names, you may provide items addressed to each of you individually if they show the same address and you provide roughly the same number for each of you.

[tigrouetoile]

As my husband is of course non-EU and wasn't in employment when we got here, we had to register everything in my name and with my bank details. We therefore don't have much in both our names. We do have sufficient documents addressed to us individually at this address but I wondered whether it would be helpful (perhaps in general) to provide a link to our photos online? The HO isn't interested in Facebook

I KNOW THAT!!! I meant to photos stored at truprint.co.uk, and only asked as reading posts on the forums, people mention sending in photos and e-mails, for example.

4.
What are people's general experiences of

(a) Applying 2 years minus 35 days, for example?
The application 28 days before your eligibility has nothing to do with one's experience. If it is a straightforward application, you will get it returned within the timelines published on the website.Why you want to apply 35 days before is beyond me

We DON'T want to, but if we don't apply on Thursday, he'll be an overstayer (visa expires Thursday). As there is no alternative, bar forking out another 300 odd quid for an extention to his current 2-year spouse visa, it appeared to be the only option, and this in line with advice given on this forum a few months ago!! Please don't tell me now that this is a stupid plan that will end in tears:(

R

[SYH]

As my husband is of course non-EU and wasn't in employment when we got here, we had to register everything in my name and with my bank details. We therefore don't have much in both our names. We do have sufficient documents addressed to us individually at this address but I wondered whether it would be helpful (perhaps in general) to provide a link to our photos online? The HO isn't interested in Facebook

I KNOW THAT!!! I meant to photos stored at truprint.co.uk, and only asked as reading posts on the forums, people mention sending in photos and e-mails, for example.
It's the same principle so same reply

4.
What are people's general experiences of

(a) Applying 2 years minus 35 days, for example?
The application 28 days before your eligibility has nothing to do with one's experience. If it is a straightforward application, you will get it returned within the timelines published on the website.Why you want to apply 35 days before is beyond me

We DON'T want to, but if we don't apply on Thursday, he'll be an overstayer (visa expires Thursday). As there is no alternative, bar forking out another 300 odd quid for an extention to his current 2-year spouse visa, it appeared to be the only option, and this in line with advice given on this forum a few months ago!! Please don't tell me now that this is a stupid plan that will end in tears:(

Well I didn't see your explanation to that earlier so I guess you don't have a choice or it will not be an in time application, there are other threads on this regarding the judiciousness and the strategies involved for situations like this one so I suggest you use the search function

R

Further you still didnt answer why you didn't want to draw attention to the february date.

[tigrouetoile]

Well I didn't see your explanation to that earlier so I guess you don't have a choice or it will not be an in time application, there are other threads on this regarding the judiciousness and the strategies involved for situations like this one so I suggest you use the search function

Sorry, should have made that clearer... We were basically "advised" (I know that the forums provide advice and not nec. exact and legally-binding information!) to send the application on the date of expiry by recorded delivery, keep the receipt and send off a cheque as payment to slow down the procedure.

Further you still didnt answer why you didn't want to draw attention to the february date

Yes, it's a silly little thing that will prob. not make the slightest difference anyhow, but the day of the date of the entry stamp my husband got when he entered the UK is not very clear. It was stamped on 27/02/2006 and the month and year ARE clear but the 27 looks like 07. I know it's prob. all recorded electronically anyhow, but I am just trying to utilise every tiny option.


I am a British citizen, but I have presumed ILR following a 2-year spouse visa is our only option - am I correct in thinking so?

R

[John]

We DON'T want to, but if we don't apply on Thursday, he'll be an overstayer (visa expires Thursday).

Please post the date of expiry of the visa, and the date it was first used to enter the UK.

[tigrouetoile]

Please post the date of expiry of the visa, and the date it was first used to enter the UK.

Hi John,

I think is was actually you that responded to my initial post a while back re. this. This new post was merely intended to ask a few questions about the actually application.

Visa issued: 24/01/2006

Date entered UK: 27/02/2006

So expires this Thursday.

Thanks,

R

[SYH]

Further you still didnt answer why you didn't want to draw attention to the february date

Yes, it's a silly little thing that will prob. not make the slightest difference anyhow, but the day of the date of the entry stamp my husband got when he entered the UK is not very clear. It was stamped on 27/02/2006 and the month and year ARE clear but the 27 looks like 07. I know it's prob. all recorded electronically anyhow, but I am just trying to utilise every tiny option.
Oh No that's not going to work, you have to affirmatively write the day you entered the country so trying to be funny with 27 to make it 7 is just not on.

[John]

OK, get the application in the post .... obviously use Special Delivery .... on Wednesday or Thursday this week .... and do pay by cheque ... and not by card.

On those dates you should not encounter a problem, for the reasons previously set out.

Post on Friday or later and he will be an overstayer ... not advisable!

[sakura]

Has he taken the Life in the UK test?

[tigrouetoile]

OK, get the application in the post .... obviously use Special Delivery .... on Wednesday or Thursday this week .... and do pay by cheque ... and not by card.

On those dates you should not encounter a problem, for the reasons previously set out.

Thanks John, we did intend to post Wed. or Thurs. by Special Delivery and pay by cheque as previously advised.

[tigrouetoile]

Has he taken the Life in the UK test?

Yes, he took it in December and passed.

[tigrouetoile]

1.
I have an ISA account with the "Nationwide". This is a book account and I have called "Nationwide" to check but they don't issue statements except the annual statement in March/April. Normally people send in bank statements of their current account, not their ISA account

SYH, going back to this - We are of course providing bank statements, but I thought you also needed to provide any evidence of savings. Hence the question.

R

[paulp]

1.
I have an ISA account with the "Nationwide". This is a book account and I have called "Nationwide" to check but they don't issue statements except the annual statement in March/April. Normally people send in bank statements of their current account, not their ISA account

R

Halifax used to issue letters confirming the balance of its book accounts. Have you asked for one in a branch?

It's perfectly ok to show savings account statements. These are all evidence of funds, aren't they?

[SYH]

1.
I have an ISA account with the "Nationwide". This is a book account and I have called "Nationwide" to check but they don't issue statements except the annual statement in March/April. Normally people send in bank statements of their current account, not their ISA account

R

Halifax used to issue letters confirming the balance of its book accounts. Have you asked for one in a branch?

It's perfectly ok to show savings account statements. These are all evidence of funds, aren't they?

Yep perfectly acceptable but she makes it sound like it is mandatory. It is not which is why I couldn't understand why she was getting hung up on it. I have halifax too and that's right you get a letter once a year so you have to deal with it or without it.

[paulp]

Yep perfectly acceptable but she makes it sound like it is mandatory. It is not which is why I couldn't understand why she was getting hung up on it. I have halifax too and that's right you get a letter once a year so you have to deal with it or without it.

Sure, it isn't mandatory. She can't move the money out of her ISA to another account without losing the tax-free status.

I used to ask for the letter at the counter and they gave it to me with a proper letterhead.

[SYH]

Yep perfectly acceptable but she makes it sound like it is mandatory. It is not which is why I couldn't understand why she was getting hung up on it. I have halifax too and that's right you get a letter once a year so you have to deal with it or without it.

Sure, it isn't mandatory. She can't move the money out of her ISA to another account without losing the tax-free status.

I used to ask for the letter at the counter and they gave it to me with a proper letterhead.

Well that's the way to use your head. Just think most people dont know where there head at sometimes.

[tigrouetoile]

Yep perfectly acceptable but she makes it sound like it is mandatory. It is not which is why I couldn't understand why she was getting hung up on it. I have halifax too and that's right you get a letter once a year so you have to deal with it or without it.

Sure, it isn't mandatory. She can't move the money out of her ISA to another account without losing the tax-free status.

I used to ask for the letter at the counter and they gave it to me with a proper letterhead.

Well that's the way to use your head. Just think most people dont know where there head at sometimes.

I have asked already (ca. 1 month ago by phone AND at the counter) and the Nationwide will not issue me with ANYTHING - statement or confirmation-wise.

SYH - I know you have been providing me with advice here, but I am beginning to get rather annoyed with your tone. All I am trying to do is ask everything I can think of, however minor it may seem, just to be on the safe side. We are only trying to do everything by the book (unlike God knows how many illegal immigrants) so that we can stay together in my own country. We are not stupid - I am a highly-qualified and experienced translator and my husband has a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, we are merely cautious and taking his application seriously.

[paulp]

I have asked already (ca. 1 month ago by phone AND at the counter) and the Nationwide will not issue me with ANYTHING - statement or confirmation-wise.

What are the remaining alternatives? Certified copy by a sollicitor?

[tigrouetoile]

I have asked already (ca. 1 month ago by phone AND at the counter) and the Nationwide will not issue me with ANYTHING - statement or confirmation-wise.

What are the remaining alternatives? Certified copy by a sollicitor?

My original question was about sending in a photocopy of the book plus contact details of my Nationwide branch (when originals are requested) versus the actual book, given Nationwide could not suggest otherwise/help further, to show that we also have some savings (albeit much reduced after having to transfer money to pay for the visa!); however, it appears that it may prove more hassle than it's worth, espec. given we need to post off tomorrow or Thursday at the latest...

Thanks for the suggestion anyhow!

R