Eligible for ILR, is it advisable to wait for services to resume

[SIyer]

Hello,

My T2G visa issue date is 15 May 2015, which would mean that I'm currently eligible to submit my application for ILR. I have all the documents and the application filled and ready to go. My supporting letters from the sponsoring company are dated for mid April. I have a couple of questions in this regard.

Since the super priority services are suspended right now, is it advisable to wait till the next lock down review to see if services will resume and apply by the second week of May so that my supporting letters are still valid? My visa ends in June so I'm eager to go in for the super priority route provided it opens.

In case I have to apply via the standard route will my application date have any bearing on when they begin processing my application or is it based on the date the bio metrics are taken?

I'm going to be submitting my bank statement from HSBC, I've asked for my latest statement to be sent to my address, alternately I can print it out at home, but will they need to be obtained directly from the branch for home office to consider it as genuine? The application says that documents can be original or copies btw.

thanks.

[zimba]

Your application date is the date you submit it online and documents will be evaluated on that date. Use digital bank statements as everything is submitted digitally

[SIyer]

Thanks Zimba. I know this is a rhetorical question but putting it out there any way. In case the UKVCAS services resume would the UKVI also resume the super priority service alongside?

[CR001]

Thanks Zimba. I know this is a rhetorical question but putting it out there any way. In case the UKVCAS services resume would the UKVI also resume the super priority service alongside?

There will be delays and as the quicker services are currently suspended, it is likely to remain suspended for a while.

Note also that you cannot change to super priority AFTER you have submitted and paid for your application online. If you have paid for standard service, that is all HO will consider. There is no 'upgrade' option.

[SIyer]

Thanks CR001, I haven't submitted my application yet and was pondering whether it's wise to wait and see if the services resume to submit my application when the super priority services open. However, based on what you're saying it might be safer to submit sooner rather than later.

[CR001]

Many have had up to 3 appointment reschedules, to around the 18th of May. There is an enormous backlog across all visa categories at present.

[SIyer]

I have another question regarding tenancy. My tenancy agreement ends with my visa expiry date in June. Assuming I submit my ILR application, will the lettings agency agree to extend my tenancy while I'm awaiting a decision on my ILR?

[CR001]

You need to ask the letting agent. A tenancy does not end simply due to an end date on the agreement.

[SIyer]

Thanks, I'll check with them. However, it'll be good to know if I am legally allowed to rent or request a renewal in such a circumstance.

[SIyer]

Hi,

I apologise in advance for the long post.
We received this email yesterday from the home office

"Dear Customer,

Thank you for your application for permission to stay in the UK.

We apologise for the inconvenience, but, due to the worldwide response to COVID-19, UKVI services are limited and we are not able to meet our usual service standards.

Although we would normally decide your application within eight weeks from the date it was submitted, unfortunately this is not going to be possible in your case.

In line with Government advice on essential travel, social distancing and other restrictions related to COVID-19, for the safety of our customers and our staff, the UK Visa and Citizenship Application Service (UKVCAS) locations where you would ordinarily submit your biometric details and provide any documents for scanning that you have not already uploaded yourself, are currently closed.

[Include for applications made in time] As your application was submitted prior to your current grant of leave expiring, your current status within the United Kingdom has been extended by section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971. You do not need to do anything else at this stage and do not need to be concerned about your immigration status.

If you have applied to switch your status in respect of your employment or studies then please refer to the guidance on Gov.UK https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus ... -residents as you should be permitted to commence work / study prior to your application being decided, should you meet the conditions set out in the guidance.

We apologise for the delay in dealing with your application and for the inconvenience this is causing. Please be assured we will do all we can to make a decision on your case as quickly as possible once our UKVCAS service locations reopen.

We appreciate your patience at this time."

The subject of the email mentioned our category as Tier2 SW General migrant - ILR, which is right.

However we received another email today. I'm copying my wife's email as mine asks for documents that are relevant for ILR but the first line in both our emails mentions leave to remain and not Indefinite leave to remain

"I am writing in relation to the application you have submitted for leave to remain under Tier 2 Dependant Partner in the United Kingdom.

Unfortunately, due to the current circumstances surrounding COVID-19 and the latest government advice, for the safety of our customers and our staff, we have temporarily suspended the UKVCAS service locations where you would ordinarily take your documents to be scanned in support of your application along with submitting your biometric details.

We are keen for this disruption to have a minimal impact on our processing times and as such we are asking that you send us scanned copies of the following documents: -

Evidence of English language
Evidence of Life in the UK test results
Evidence of your relationship to your partner
A list of absences from the UK covering the past 5 years
A bank statement displaying at least £630.00 in savings over a 90 day period (the end date of which must be no earlier than 31 days before the date of your application).

To the e-mail address W...@homeoffice.gov.uk where we will be able to process your application to the next stage of our assessment which will minimise delays to your application caused by these extraordinary circumstances.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this request, please direct them to the inbox listed above."

Should we submit the documents they've asked for in reply to this email and mention that we've submitted our application in the set[O] T2 General migrant and dependant partner category?

Thanks

[SIyer]

revised the topic of discussion

[zimba]

Submit the evidence as requested

[SIyer]

Thanks, will do that.

[SIyer]

I've replied to their email with all the documents they requested for. These were requested for my application

Evidence of English language
Evidence of Life in the UK test results
A letter from your sponsor detailing your future employment (including your salary)
A list of absences from the UK covering the past 5 years
Your most recent payslip
A bank statement displaying your most recent wage

These documents requested seem in line with my ILR application. However, I am unsure why they're asking for the below mentioned documents for my wife who is my co-applicant as my dependant.

A list of absences from the UK covering the past 5 years
A bank statement displaying at least £630.00 in savings over a 90 day period (the end date of which must be no earlier than 31 days before the date of your application).

Also, they've not asked for cohabitation documents, they've asked for Evidence of your relationship to your partner. I've sent our marriage certificate for the same.

It's confusing that they're asking for documents that are not listed in our Mandatory documents check list that we printed out after submitting our ILR application. It also seems like the documents they're asking for differs for each applicant but shouldn't it be same or similar for each category one has applied under?

[CR001]

These documents requested seem in line with my ILR application. However, I am unsure why they're asking for the below mentioned documents for my wife who is my co-applicant as my dependant.

A list of absences from the UK covering the past 5 years
A bank statement displaying at least £630.00 in savings over a 90 day period (the end date of which must be no earlier than 31 days before the date of your application).

You should have asked the question before sending the email. Your dependent only has to declare absences IF their last visa was issued on or after 11th January 2018. Absences before this date are irrelevant. There is no maintenance requirement for ILR. Simply state in a return email that you are applying for a dependent ILR and not a tier 2 dependent extension.

Also, they've not asked for cohabitation documents, they've asked for Evidence of your relationship to your partner. I've sent our marriage certificate for the same.

Evidence of relationship IS the evidence of cohabitation documents, for the last two years, from 3 to 6 different sources in both your names. It is NOT sufficient to only submit a marriage cert.

It's confusing that they're asking for documents that are not listed in our Mandatory documents check list that we printed out after submitting our ILR application. It also seems like the documents they're asking for differs for each applicant but shouldn't it be same or similar for each category one has applied under?

The checklist is generic and has errors and you should not go only by the checklist. The official HO guidance and the immigration rules are what dictates the mandatory supporting evidence.

[SIyer]

Thanks, I did mention that we've applied for ILR using set[o] application form for T2 SW General Migrant in mine and T2 SW dependant partner in my wife's email reply.

I've noticed here on the boards that they've specifically asked for co-habitation documents in reply to other applicants so it's confusing.

I will top up my reply to the same email with additional co-habitation documents. Hoping that should be fine.

[CR001]

I've noticed here on the boards that they've specifically asked for co-habitation documents in reply to other applicants so it's confusing.

Some visa routes have this specifically mentioned, i.e. spouse settlement visas.