UK Settlement - procedure

[mfc]

Hi,

I was issued with an ILE (Spouse Settlement VISA) on 30 Nov 2006. The ILE expires in Jan 2011 and I am arriving in Uk from Kenya on 14 Feb 2007 for settlement.

1) I would appreciate information on what is the procedure when I get to Heathrow Airport.

2) Do I need to apply for ILR before the 3 year requirement for Spouses Naturalization.

3) Any other information that would be beneficial.

Thank you.
Farooq (mfc)

[John]

I was issued with an ILE (Spouse Settlement VISA) on 30 Nov 2006. The ILE expires in Jan 2011 and I am arriving in Uk from Kenya on 14 Feb 2007 for settlement.

The ILE does not expire in Jan 2011! (except in one limited sense, see below) But you are not the first person to be confused by this, and I doubt whether you will be the last!

That date of Jan 2011 is merely the last possible date that you can use the ILE to enter the UK .... for the first ever time using that ILE visa. But once you have indeed entered the UK prior to that stated date, the date can be effectively totally ignored.

Let me guess .... that date in Jan 2011 ... it happens to be the expiry date of your passport into which the ILE sticker was placed?

Using your numbering :-

1. Expect to be sent for a quick medical examination, including chest x-ray. Is your spouse flying in with you? It will help if they are with you when you see the immigration officer. That is, they should queue with you in the non-EEA queue ... and both passports should be handed over together.
2. Totally unnecessary .... as soon as you arrive in the UK you have ILR
3. See comments above

[mfc]

Thank you John, your reply made my confusion quite clear.

Yes, my passport indeed expires in Jan 2011 - so clearly the ILE has the same date.

My spouse and I have been married for fourteen years, twelve of which together in Kenya before we decided to migrate to the UK. She is a British citizen and has been in the Uk for the past two and a half years with my children who are also British citizens. I am flying alone, to join them.

So you are saying that as soon as I arrive, the immigration officer will issue me with an ILR therefore will not have to apply for it 2 years after the date of entry.

Best regards
Farooq (mfc)

[John]

So you are saying that as soon as I arrive, the immigration officer will issue me with an ILR

Not quite .... the immigration officer at the UK port of entry will simply date stamp the ILE visa to indicate that you have indeed entered the UK before the stated "expiry date" ... and thus the ILE effectively automatically becomes ILR because you have been "stamped in" to the UK.

There is no question of you needing to apply to ILR nearly 2 years after after.

[mfc]

Thank you John, clears everything that I need to know for now.

I'd just like to say that this forum is doing a invaluable service to the migrating community.

Thank you once again.

Best Regards
Farooq (mfc)