Hi,

I am doing this on behalf of a friend of mine who does not (yet) have internet access and is in desperate need of help and advice.

His problem is this, my friend and his wife completed the two year period of living together as man and wife, he says that “the powers that be said they did not believe they had been living together as man and wife) and so refused them the full settlement visa (I know for a fact they had but ?? powers that be??.

They were given a one year visa that runs out on 17 October 2007, he was told to fill the form Set (m) which they did, now they have been told that is the wrong form and they have to fill in the FLR (M) form.

She also has to do some kind of written test (questions about the role of the queen and prime minister and other things that even I could not answer (glad I don’t have to sit the test (I wish they would chuck me out and I would live in Thailand).

Her spoken English is very good but her written English is not so good and because the test is done on a computer (in English) my friend and his wife are looking at a local college that do a ESOL course (but time is running out).

Can some one help please, what should they do, what are their options.

(apparently the rules had changed in April 2007 and (because no internet) did not know.

If you need any more information please ask (my friend is panicking like mad now).

Btw I downloaded the forms (FLR (M) version 04/2007.

Hope you guys can help (I know this info is sparse but I know you will do your best).

Steve

Before your friend's wife qualifies for indefinite leave, she must either sit an ESOL with Citizenship course or pass the Life in the UK test. The Local Education Authority should be able to tell him where the former can be sat, and, with regard to the latter, there are various test centres dotted around the country.

They have approximately 5 months before your friend's wife needs to apply, so I'd get cracking. Obviously everyone differs, but as a general guide, it should be possible to study for and take the Life in the UK test within three months, but she'll need to buy the book containing the course material first. ILR applications are made on SET(M) and, by post, cost £750.00.

If, come October, your friend's wife has not got her qualification, then she will have to use form FLR(M) and she will, in all likelihood, be given a further 2 years. This costs £395.00.

Scouse.

Presumably, the HO didn't believe that your friend and his wife had not been living together because they didn't provide the supporting documents necessary as stated on the SET (M) form. The FLR (M) form also has supporting document requirements.

It's a shame your friend didn't get it right first time as his wife would have avoided taking the test if she had applied before April 2007.

She is unlikely to find a course and complete it now before October (as schools usually close for July & August).

She can study at home from the book of the syllabus of The Life in UK Test . She can purchase the book from WH Smith as she doesn't have the internet. Costs about £10. You can then give her the phone number to book a test at the nearest test centre to be found from the web site.

She must purchase and study Version 2 of the book

Don't be too scared of the test it is multiple choice answers so there can be some element of guesswork and if she is unfortunate enough to fail first time she can re-sit it as many times as she wishes.

best of luck steve

Thank you scouser and Mahout Angrit.

My friend has contacted local colleges etc and is going to see them on Thursday to try to start a.s.a.p.

My friend would like to ask another question which is, because his wife has (roughly) five months left on her visa, he would like to use the FLR (M) form as late as possible, could anyone say when this would be (hopefully sometime during the fifth month).

Thanks again for the help guys.

Steve

My friend has contacted local colleges etc and is going to see them on Thursday to try to start a.s.a.p.

Remember it must be an ESOL course with citizenship component

My friend would like to ask another question which is, because his wife has (roughly) five months left on her visa, he would like to use the FLR (M) form as late as possible, could anyone say when this would be (hopefully sometime during the fifth month).

She must apply before it expires, she can send it 'special delivery' the day before it expires if she wishes and it will arrive the day it expires.

Thanks (from my friend)

Thanks from me too

Steve