How Long Should We Wait?

[Rj 81]

Hi Guys,

I've know I went missing off the forum after me and wife got the visa and got to England, although I said I'd stick around No excuses really just to lazy to check the forum. Think I needed a break from visa stuff!

Everything is going good, wifey's got loads of Thai friends, we found Kims Thai food store in town and Wing Yip's plus Tesco. I think the first 2-3 weeks we were back, we were in Tesco nearly every day! But now I've managed to get that down to once or twice a week

As you probably guessed I'm back to quiz you guys again, sorry

We arrived in the UK on the 24th June. The IO at Manchester airport said we would receive a letter requesting my wife to go for a medical check, we have still not received anything.

We registered at the Docs about 3 weeks ago, I have received my medical card but my wife has not yet received hers. I asked the Docs about this and they said leave it another 2 weeks, if still nothing then they will chase it up. So they have got one week left and then I'll have to get intouch with them again. Is this common?

So, my concern is that we have been in the UK for nearly 2 months and still we have no letters in her name for the SETM ILR.

We tried to open her a bank account but they said we had to wait for 3 months so then she will have been at a permanent address for 3 months, thus not requiring a previous address. Plus all the documentation we had was in Thai. So that wont be a problem once the 3 months are up.

We went to the college to enrole her on a course but that is not until 30th of this month, so no letter from them either.

Am I worrying unnessercirly or is this normal?

Cheers

Rj

[mrbojangles]

Hi rj, nice to see you again.

My mrs received her letter from the immi medical within days of her arriving. When i get home i'll dig out the letter and get the contact details.

As for bank account. Get the mrs on the utility bills asap. Easily done and they will send you a copy, if you explain she wants to open a bank account.

I then went onto the nationwide web site and filled the form in on-line (it's the best bank IMHO for when you visit LOS, free withdrawls). They then sent the application by post within days. You then have to go in and show evidence in person (as she hasn't had a previous uk bank acc) with a utility bill and passport. Done and dusted in no time.

Didn't know you had settled in Manchester, we'll have to meet up for a bevvy.

[the scouser]

I'd take MrBojangles' advice, Rj, and have you wife put on your utility bills. These documents will be acceptable in relation to her subsequent ILR application.

It can take some time for someone to become properly established in the UK, with all the pieces of paper that go with being settled. You might also think about getting your wife a provisional driving licence and a National Insurance number. For the driving licence, someone of a professional standing must countersign the photo, stating that they have known your wife for 2 years. If your wife knows no such person, she can make her application in person at the DVLA office in Manchester.

Cheers,

Scouse.

[GU22]

For the driving licence, someone of a professional standing must countersign the photo, stating that they have known your wife for 2 years. If your wife knows no such person, she can make her application in person at the DVLA office in Manchester.

See Driving in the UK.

[Rj 81]

Thanks for the advise lads. I will get her a Provisional DL and NI number. I hadn't thought of them.

I don't have any utility bills! We are still at my Mam's at the moment.

I'm with Nationwide so yeah I'll be using them. Problem is now, my bank manager knows all about our situation, so going around it any other way isn't a option. He did try everything he could to help us though, good bloke. I should of gone down the online route like you said.

Mrboj - Cheers, if you could get them details I will get on to them and find out whats going on.

Mrboj scouse GU22 - Yeah we will definatly have to meet up at some point and have a few jars

It's actually our wedding party this Sunday so if any of you guys would like to come you would be welcome, it's a day doo. Just let me know and I will give you the details.

[Rj 81]

Hi chaps,

Just a quick update. We got the letter for the medical check, it came 1 or 2 days after I posted the OP. Also wife's medical card came. So we have 2 things with her name and address on it now at least.

We went to the college today to enrole her on a English course but after finding out it cost £890 we decided to opt for a bit of home tutoring instead! There's actually a pretty good learning section on the BBC website if anyone is intrested. BBC English learning

The utility bills issue is still a problem though, but if we get everything else, they won't be a problem when we come to apply for ILR. Will they?

Cheers

Rj

[GU22]

The utility bills issue is still a problem though, but if we get everything else, they won't be a problem when we come to apply for ILR. Will they?

Utility bills are one of the suggested items that can be used for ILR, they are not a definite must have. We were living with my parents when my wife applied, so all the utility bills were in my father's name.

See section 6 of form SET(M) for further suggestions.

[vinny]

We went to the college today to enrole her on a English course but after finding out it cost £890 we decided to opt for a bit of home tutoring instead! There's actually a pretty good learning section on the BBC website if anyone is intrested. BBC English learning

You can also check out your local library for many Adult Education courses at reasonable prices.

[mrbojangles]

Also wife's medical card came.

My better half hasn't received one of those, even though she had the immigation medical. Should she have? Or doesn't it matter?

[vinny]

She should register with a local doctor (GP), preferably yours, as soon as possible and get a NHS number and medical card.

[mittheimp]

There are lots of English courses that are either free or very cheap - well at least there are in London!

Is this medical requirement new as my wife didn't have to go through this 3 years ago?

[GU22]

If you mean a medical at the port of entry on the first arrival; no. But not everyone is sent for one, it seems to be a random check.

If you mean registering with a GP, then if she's not yet done so, do it now!

[the scouser]

Also wife's medical card came.

My better half hasn't received one of those, even though she had the immigation medical. Should she have? Or doesn't it matter?

They don't seem to routinely issue them. After my wife had been in the UK for one year she was contacted and asked if she was still here as they had her down as an asylum seeker . I asked about the medical card and they arranged for one to then be issued.

Scouse.