ILR and time left on Visa

[scottspark]

Good evening all,

I moved to the UK in July 2009 on my ancestral visa, extended the visa for another 5 years in 2014 and need to get the ball rolling for the ILR process. My visa will expire on the 5th of July 2019 but my South African passport will expire end of May 2019 (but can be renewed)

I would like to know however if there is a requirement for a minimum amount of time left on your visa i.e. at least a year (to complete the 1 year requirement for IRL and then apply for naturalisation before July 2019) or can I wait until 2019 to apply for ILR?

Thank you

[zimba]

There is no min requirement. It has to be valid on the day you apply though

[vinny]

You may apply for ILR now, if you satisfy 128A and 193, Including KoLL, etc.

[scottspark]

Thank you for the responses. Will have to do the Koll now as well and hopefully apply before the next price increase in April 2018!

[CR001]

Thank you for the responses. Will have to do the Koll now as well and hopefully apply before the next price increase in April 2018!

LIUK is fairly easy. Just read the official book and do the online tests.

If you do not have a UK degree, you need either the B1 English test from an HO approved test provider or if you have a foreign degree, you need UKVI Naric red route. Both cost the same (£150), B1 test is quicker.

Also see the link below of many relevant questions re Ancestry to ILR and the users ultimate success.

indefinite-leave-to-remain/ancestry-vis ... 84361.html

[scottspark]

Got my degree in Afrikaans but will go with the B1 route. Already purchased the handbook (just need to start studying again for the first time in 15 years, even my partner is amazed at the stuff she doesn't know but we're supposed to know!))

[CR001]

It really isn't hard. I read the book once and did lots of online tests on my mobile while traveling to and from work etc. Passed the test first time. It is a computer multiple choice test.

Are you aware of the additional 2 processes and costs involved if you wish to keep your SA citizenship (assuming you are aiming to apply for British citizenship at some point)?

[scottspark]

No, still stuck at all the costs involved for the ILR, but the idea is to keep my SA citizenship ('cause you never know, a SA passport might be useful one day )

[scottspark]

Just noticed - £234 for Confirmation of non-acquisition of British citizenship (and only valid for 3 months), reminds me of Eet Sum Mor biscuits, its just getting More and More and More...

[CR001]

Just noticed - £234 for Confirmation of non-acquisition of British citizenship (and only valid for 3 months), reminds me of Eet Sum Mor biscuits, its just getting More and More and More...

I didn't do it due to the cost. SA embassy also charges for the letter 'granting you permission to apply for a second citizenship'. So I couldn't be bothered and did some research. Not sure when an SA passport would be 'useful' LOL, maybe to visit Russia visa free!!

Obv you lose SA cit if you apply without the above, however, all is not lost. I have a letter from Home Affairs in London, issued free of charge while I waited, stating I have relinquished my SA citizenship voluntarily on xy month 2012 when I became British. That I have the right of permanent residence in SA due to being born there and am free to travel in and out of SA on my British passport. It also states that I will be allowed to resume my citizenship once I have lived in SA for a full 12 months. So all I do when I go home is carry the letter with me and present it on arrival and departure with my passport. I have been taken off the population register and been issued with a Non-SA ID number (still need to get the new ID book).

Happy with that I am!!

To be honest, the other main issue for me was that if something happened to me in SA while visiting, I want the protection and help from the British Embassy. You don't get that help if you have a SA passport and a British passport. You will only be considered South African in such circumstances.

[scottspark]

Something that I never even thought of! Still going back every 2 years for a holiday and to see the family and would probably be the only reason (who knows how Brexit would influence the free movement but that's a risk I'm willing to take). Have read that you need to enter SA on your SA passport (dual passport) when you travel or risk a warning from immigration

I guess if you travel anywhere else in the world you can request help from either embassy? Think I know which one I would rather go for...

[CR001]

Something that I never even thought of! Still going back every 2 years for a holiday and to see the family and would probably be the only reason (who knows how Brexit would influence the free movement but that's a risk I'm willing to take).

I have been back a couple of times over the last 15 months as my parents are unwell, but they are coming back to the UK end of next year once we can do their Ancestry visas and then I will no longer go home to visit.

Have read that you need to enter SA on your SA passport (dual passport) when you travel or risk a warning from immigration

Correct, this is actually law (part of the research I did). Not applicable obvs if you don't hold SA citizenship. My passport and ID book were clipped and stamped 'CANCELLED'!

I guess if you travel anywhere else in the world you can request help from either embassy? Think I know which one I would rather go for...

Yes as a dual citizen you can, depends of course which passport you use to enter A N Other country but in SA, you would not have the benefit of help from the UK embassy as a dual citizen if the paw paw hits the fan and you have a problem.