Set M abscence? 5 or 10 years?

[Spaghettio]

Hi everyone!

I’m in the process of completing my set m application for my appointment in August and I was just looking for some guidance on section 9.13.

I’ve been on student and tier 1 visas previous so do I need to answer how long I have lived in the from my first visa? As there’s was a year in between when I went back home or am I okay to just put 5 years.

Hoping just 5 years, as listing all the holidays during that time sounds annoying enough.

Any help you could provide would be great

[CR001]

Presumably you have 5 years on a spouse settlement visa, ie not PBS dependent.

You only need to list absences for the last 5 years.

[Spaghettio]

Yes sorry! 5 year route no dependents.

Thanks for this. So even when answering how long I’ve lived in the Uk I just put 5 years?

And all correspondence evidence is just for the past 2.5 years?

Thanks again!

[CR001]

By PBS dependent I meant that you don't hokd a tier 1 or tier 2 dependent visa (also a 5 year spouse route) and that you hold a spouse settlement visa (FLR M) as many PBS dependent visa holders mistakenly assume they apply for ILR on SET M if their spouse has obtained ILR or British citizenship.

Your ILR is based on the 5 years since you returned to the UK on your current 5 year spouse visa route.

Fine for cohabitation.

[Spaghettio]

Yes I was on tier 1 then moved to flm spouse visa and am doing the five year route.

Thanks so much for this! Makes my life a little easier.

Eeeep!

[CR001]

When did you apply for FLR M??

FLR M is an application within the UK and you said you applied ouside the UK which would have been VAF4A??

[Spaghettio]

Oh maybe there’s some confusion.

I’m currently living in the Uk and I have been since 2008, but only five of those years are on my spouse visa. My husband is a Uk born citizen and we met here while I was studying. So previously I was on student visas, then a tier 1 until I got my spouse visa.

I’m filling out the Set M form. Am I still okay to 5 years down? I figured I could since it’s the 5 year route - actually it’d be 4 years 11 months since with the 28 day allowance?

[CR001]

Sounds good to go yes if you have spent almost 5 years on the spouse visa.

[Spaghettio]

Phew! That’s all I need is to turn up for my appointment with the wrong application!

Thanks so much for your help