Life in UK Test Needed if Transferring ILR to Biometric?

[Tenj]

My wife is a long term resident (since 1997) in the UK with ILR status as a result of marriage to myself (British Citizen) in 2001.

Since 2001, wife has used ILR stamp in old passport for verification purposes / border travel.

She will most likely change employers soon, and transferring the visa from the old passport to a Biometric Certificate is a pre-requisite guided by new(ish) rules from the Home Office.

My question, that I cannot find any guidance on at Direct.gov is: Will she need to take a "Life in the UK" test prior to transferring the visa across?

I welcome your comments on previous experiences / any knowledge you can share. Many thanks.

Tenj

[CR001]

No it is not required.

It will be required if she wishes to apply for British citizenship though.

[Tenj]

Many thanks CR001.

A friend of hers had to take a life in the UK test, but I believe that was for citizenship. I'm not sure why my wife thought she might have to also.

So, it therefore be a simple process of applying with all relevant docs, and the ILR biometric will be automatically granted (none of the terms of ILR status have been transgressed).

Just additionally, I am aware that it can take months for the original documents to be returned (including the original ILR certificate). Could one travel and cross back into the UK without having this physically present? It seems the border staff would think that my wife is just a foreign national visiting on a tourist visa or similar.

Is attending an appointment in person on the same day (££) the only option if one wishes to avoid travelling without proof of ILR?

Many thanks for your time and comments.

[CR001]

She will have trouble re-entering the UK (and boarding a flight if she requires a visa to the UK) if she does not have proof of her ILR status.

She can apply in person to do this, but it costs a lot more, yes.

[Tenj]

Thank you for the advice