What Next?

[gary773]

Hi to all,

Firstly, I would like to say a big thankyou to the Scouse for being there to talk to and listen to my concerns.

I was in the usual position of having applied for a settlement visa for my wife (after having been refused a visit visa the previous week!).

Being very concerned with the progress over the vacatiuon period I fired an email off to the Scouse who called me to discuss things (I was in BKK on my mobile at the time!). Anyway, to cut a long story short, Scouse offered me support and advice on next steps if things shoud go wrong. Upon return to the UK I called Scouse and he convinced me to be patient (not an easy thing to do when your wife is "stuck" in Bkk!).

The good news is that she got her settlement visa.

She returns to the UK on Friday and I would like to know what the next steps are regarding Indefinite Leave to Remain and getting a British passport after a period of time.

Any advice would be greatfully accepted.

Cheers

Gary

[drummachine]

Hi Gary,

you have to wait 2 years then apply for ILR (indefinite leave to remain. That is accompanied with the Life in the UK Test. There is also an English course you can study with citzenship attached.

I think it something like 5 years after ILR you can apply for an British passport. Anyways I know you will get plenty of replies, but thats a basic outline.

Goodluck and well done. Get your rice cooker ordered!

[the scouser]

Well done to you and your wife, Gary.

You may apply for indefinite leave once she has been in the U.K. for 23 months. Start generating correspondence now in either individual or joint names (just as long as it resolves to the same address), as this will be needed to demonstrate that you've been living together. At the ILR stage, your wife will also need to show that there is adequate maintenance and accommodation for the twop of you, and she will have had to pass either an ESOL with Citizenship course, or the Life in the UK test. That's it in a nutshell, and the BIA will unburden you of £750.00 for the privilege.

Scouse.

[vinny]

See also Completing application form SET(M) > Form SET(M).