Apprenticeships- No Recourse to Public Funds

[daku]

Hi All,

My wife is currently on a spouse visa but she wants to do an apprenticeship. Can someone confirm whether this is considered a public fund considering there is training involved. I know there is some kind of rule about being in the country for 3 years before you are considered a 'native' student. She is currently studying ESOL and she did pay for this course.

Thanks

[CR001]

The 3 year rule and ILR holder refers to Student Finance for university.

Why is she studying ESOL??

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-funds

[daku]

Thanks for the link CR001 however it didn't contain any information about apprenticeships. Having spoken to the Apprenticeships Helpline they have referred me to the document below page (53) . The 3 year rule is mentioned here again. They said she should be eligible for it. She will reach 3 years in October.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... der_v6.pdf

She is studying ESOL to improve her English of course. This should enable her to complete a course or get a job. It's not like IELTS gets you anywhere.