Need a small help

[nuvin]

Hello,

I am from Mauritius and my wife is British born in Mauritius. We came here in May 2005 for settlement. I came on a Spouse Visa which is valid for 2 years expiring in May this year. I have two questions if someone could pls help me with:

1. Our baby was born in Sept 2006 and we are applying for his passport. However the countersignatory of the passport application form and his photo must have known either myself or my wife for 2 years at least and we haven't been here for two years. So who can sign the form then? Our local surgery said his GP will not sign because he hasn't known us for two years.

2. What happens after my spouse visa expires? Do I have to leave the country or do I apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. Is there any test to take and if so how much and when should I take the test?

Please help. Thank you very much.

[JAJ]

1. Our baby was born in Sept 2006 and we are applying for his passport. However the countersignatory of the passport application form and his photo must have known either myself or my wife for 2 years at least and we haven't been here for two years. So who can sign the form then? Our local surgery said his GP will not sign because he hasn't known us for two years.

2. What happens after my spouse visa expires? Do I have to leave the country or do I apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. Is there any test to take and if so how much and when should I take the test?

1. Contact the Passport Office to discuss what alternative arrangements can be made. If they don't act reasonably, contact your Member of Parliament.

One option is for the person signing to strike out the "2 years" and write in the actual length of time. They may accept that.

2. You apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain before your spouse visa expires. Someone else will tell you when exactly you can apply.
If you apply on or after 2 April 2007 you will need to take the Life in the UK Test: http://www.lifeintheuktest.gov.uk

You might want to take the Test now as you'll need it for naturalisation in any case. Assuming you plan to become naturalised British.

[jes2jes]

1. Our baby was born in Sept 2006 and we are applying for his passport. However the countersignatory of the passport application form and his photo must have known either myself or my wife for 2 years at least and we haven't been here for two years. So who can sign the form then? Our local surgery said his GP will not sign because he hasn't known us for two years.

2. What happens after my spouse visa expires? Do I have to leave the country or do I apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. Is there any test to take and if so how much and when should I take the test?

1. Contact the Passport Office to discuss what alternative arrangements can be made. If they don't act reasonably, contact your Member of Parliament.

One option is for the person signing to strike out the "2 years" and write in the actual length of time. They may accept that.

2. You apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain before your spouse visa expires. Someone else will tell you when exactly you can apply.
If you apply on or after 2 April 2007 you will need to take the Life in the UK Test: http://www.lifeintheuktest.gov.uk

You might want to take the Test now as you'll need it for naturalisation in any case. Assuming you plan to become naturalised British.

JAJ,

I am assuming one test is good for both ILR and Naturalisation, isn't it?
I am thinking of the case where an applicant has to apply for ILR after April 02, 2007 and a year after apply for naturalisation. There would be no need to take the test again I assume?

Thanks

[John]

Nuvin, can you post some information please. Namely the exact date of expiry of your current 2-year spouse visa .... and also the exact date you first entered the UK using that visa .... probably evidenced by a rubber stamp on or near that visa.

In other words, let's try and work out when you can apply for your ILR ... and as a knock-on from that, whether you need to start studying for the Citizenship Test as a matter of urgency.

[nuvin]

Hello,

Thank you very much for your replies..... My Visa actually expires on the 19th of May this year and I entered the UK on 19th May 2005. I think as JAJ is saying I might as well take the test now itself if I have to do it anyway. Does anyone know how much it costs and where can I get study materials? Thanks.

Nuvin.

[John]

You got your visa and then flew straight to the UK? Or you asked for a deferred start date on the visa?

Anyway, based upon your arrival date, you cannot apply for your ILR earlier than 28 days before the 2nd anniversary of that arrival date. That is, your earliest application date is say Monday 23rd April (because your application date will be after 01.04.07).

Accordingly it follows that you will need to pass the Citizenship Test prior to making your ILR application. The study guide mentioned here is recommended. But do appreciate that the Study Guide is the current version, for the version of the test that will be taken up to the end of March only. But on your time scale, well that is fine. Buy the study guide and when aim to get the pass certificate by the end of February, or in March at the latest.

Also appreciate this. The Government has been undertaking a consultation on the amount charged for visa applications, both inside and outside the UK. It is expected that new fee levels will come into force in April. Accordingly don't assume that the current levels of £335 by post or £500 in person will necessarily apply to you.

[JAJ]

I think as JAJ is saying I might as well take the test now itself if I have to do it anyway. Does anyone know how much it costs and where can I get study materials? Thanks.

Nuvin.

http://www.lifeintheuktest.gov.uk

Under current rules, a test pass stays valid without a time limit. But do not lose the evidence of this! In particular, be careful about sending your only copy to the Home Office in case it gets lost. You may have to of course, in that case get a solicitor to make a certified copy (or two) beforehand.