FLR (M) spouse visa first time application 5 year route or 2

[yoonssoe]

Hello everyone!

So far this forum helped me a lot with all my visa concern and questions!
Thank you for all your contribute.

I'm currently on Tier 2 work permit visa from my company and had been with this visa for 2 and a half year.
My visa run out next March and this May I got married with my husband who's British, and now thinking to switching to FLR (M) spouse visa. But I was wondering what is different between 2 year route and 5 year route for FLR(M) (Even there is 10 years route too!)

I will apply this September, and I'm qualified for annual salary that is over K18500. Is that mean I can apply for 5 year route and they'll give me for full 5 years of spouse visa? Some of them said they're applying for extension / second spouse visa so I was wondering even if I apply for 5 years they'll give me only 2 and a half and I had to apply again? Just bit confusing as I came to UK on 2010, if they give me full 5 years of spouse visa this time, I can apply for ILR next time.

Please advise me if anyone know about what can I apply for and what's the difference between the routes.

Thank you all!

[vinny]

If you switch to FLR(M), then you will be on the 5-year route, comprising of FLR(M) x 2.5 years, followed by SET(M).

[Casa]

As Vinny has advised, you don't have a choice on the length of the route to ILR.

If you switch to FLR(M), in addition to the £811 postal fee (or £1311 is applied for in person) you will also have to pay the £500 NHS surcharge. In 2.5 years time you need to apply for another 2.5 years FLR(M) extension, meeting all the same conditions before qualifying for ILR.

You could however combine all periods of stay and apply in your own right for 10 year long residence in 2020 if you have no breaks in residence.

[yoonssoe]

Vinny & Casa, thank you so much!
Now it's all cleared.. so only I can apply for 5 year route which combine 2.5 year x 2.
Thank you guys! x