How to Prepare for an ILR Application After Being in the UK as a Spouse

How to Prepare for an ILR Application After Being in the UK as a Spouse Article by Victoria Sharkey
.This is a quick guide for those who have either come to the UK a spouse, have come as a fiancee and have switched to spouse, or have come in another category and have switched to spouse. The requirements are also the same for those in Civil Partnerships. A spousal visa is valid for two years. Before that two years expire, you are expected to make an application for Indefinite Leave to Remain, and you really need to start collecting documents for this as soon as the spousal visa is issued. The documentation is quite straight forward. You need to prove that you have lived together for the two years. You need to provide 20 items from at least 5 sources, evenly spaced out throughout the two years. If these are not items addressed to you jointley, then there should ideally be 20 items each. There is no rule about what documents are suitable for this application, but as a rule of thumb documents can be sorted into 'hard evidence' and 'soft evidence'. Hard evidence would include bank statements, medical cards, letters from the tax office, tenancy agreements, mortgage agreements, council tax notices, elecotral registration forms, credit card bills, utilities bills. Soft evidence would include gym membership, junk mail, letters (with envelopes) from friends and family. Obviously it is best to supply more hard evidence if you can, and at the beginning of the two years you can begin to ensure this will build up. Apply for credit cards - even if they refuse, you will have a letter from them confirming your address. Register with your GP, write to the local council asking if you can be put on the electoral register - they will say no in most cases, but again, the letter is there. When applying, you need to use form SET (M), available here (link to the SET(M) form) This contains a list of suggested documents you can use to support the application, but remember, it is not a limited list; in reality, you can use anything. All documents must be originals or notarized/certified copies. You can apply from 28 days before the eligibility date, and don't forget that you need to pass the 'Life in the UK' test, so look at sitting this well in advance of the application date. If you don't have these documents, don't panic. You can always apply for a further two year leave to remain, which will enable you to stay her on the same status, and will give you time to build up the paperwork you need.
Victoria Sharkey is a Partner at MediVisas

How to Prepare for an ILR Application After Being in the UK as a Spouse
Article by Victoria Sharkey

.This is a quick guide for those who have either come to the UK a spouse, have come as a fiancee and have switched to spouse, or have come in another category and have switched to spouse.

The requirements are also the same for those in Civil Partnerships. A spousal visa is valid for two years. Before that two years expire, you are expected to make an application for Indefinite Leave to Remain, and you really need to start collecting documents for this as soon as the spousal visa is issued.

The documentation is quite straight forward. You need to prove that you have lived together for the two years. You need to provide 20 items from at least 5 sources, evenly spaced out throughout the two years. If these are not items addressed to you jointley, then there should ideally be 20 items each.

There is no rule about what documents are suitable for this application, but as a rule of thumb documents can be sorted into 'hard evidence' and 'soft evidence'.

Hard evidence would include bank statements, medical cards, letters from the tax office, tenancy agreements, mortgage agreements, council tax notices, elecotral registration forms, credit card bills, utilities bills.

Soft evidence would include gym membership, junk mail, letters (with envelopes) from friends and family.

Obviously it is best to supply more hard evidence if you can, and at the beginning of the two years you can begin to ensure this will build up. Apply for credit cards - even if they refuse, you will have a letter from them confirming your address. Register with your GP, write to the local council asking if you can be put on the electoral register - they will say no in most cases, but again, the letter is there.

When applying, you need to use form SET (M), available here (link to the SET(M) form) This contains a list of suggested documents you can use to support the application, but remember, it is not a limited list; in reality, you can use anything.

All documents must be originals or notarized/certified copies.

You can apply from 28 days before the eligibility date, and don't forget that you need to pass the 'Life in the UK' test, so look at sitting this well in advance of the application date.

If you don't have these documents, don't panic. You can always apply for a further two year leave to remain, which will enable you to stay her on the same status, and will give you time to build up the paperwork you need.

Victoria Sharkey is a Partner at MediVisas

This article is a reprint. The original is at UK-Yankee©

MediVisas specialises in UK work permit, business and family-based immigration. We provide expert advice and representation services to UK employers and recruiters wishing to employ overseas staff as well as to individuals wishing to live and work in the UK.

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