vintage siam A1 in 2013, can we still use for further leave to remain

[karen960]

hi all. just a query i,m apply for further leave to remain in the uk, My Thai husband passed A1 from vintage siam in bangkok 2013 for his spouse visa. Can we use this for further leave to remain or is out of date. Thankyou

[TCA]

It can be used. My wife was granted FLR in January using an Vantage Siam A1 Bulats certificate from April 2013. You'll see the relevant section of the form has been amended to ask if you are relying on a test that was previously used in a successful settlement visa application.

I believe however that from October 2016, FLR applicants will need an A2 pass to meet the English language requirement. I haven't seen that confirmed anywhere (I've haven't been looking), but for now you're OK with A1 as far as I know.

[raven0099]

We just applied using the same qualification that my wife passed in 2013.

[PeeJay1959]

Yes it is OK to use it, as long as you apply before November, in which case he will need A2.

[raven0099]

So after November the A1 cert is no longer useable even if it was accepted during the original settlement visa application and further leave to remain ?

[Richard W]

So after November the A1 cert is no longer useable even if it was accepted during the original settlement visa application and further leave to remain ?

Correct. The spouse is expected to have got better at English.

Note that the change is in October. FLR(M) following spouse visa in late October will require A2.

[karen960]

Thanks everyone for your replys. perfect so really all i do to apply is update slightly the original visa application paperwork.

[Rob180]

Hi Karen, I have been trying to decipher the FLR-M form a few months in advance. Thanks to the help of others in this forum and the usual mind-numbing hours I've put in trying to figure out the Guidance Notes, I can confirm that a previous A1 pass can be used for a FLR application, IF that pass was obtained by an approved test provider at that time. It doesn't matter if they are not approved now. However it needs to have been part of a previous entry visa application, which I assume your husband's was.

The minimum requirement from October is A2, so A1 passes are no good for an FLR application submitted after this new rule comes in. They haven't said yet the exact date in October as far as I know.

You may know this already, but there is now a £500 health care charge to be paid for FLR which has to be paid before the FLR application is submitted.

The Visa Fees have also all gone up. FLR is now about £850.

Edited May 25, 2016 by Rob180

[Rob180]

In the transitional arrangements for English tests the guidance notes say applicants should register their results on the Cambridge English website, but you need a code and number to do that from the test centre .Can anyone advise if this is actually necessary or will they accept the original paper pass certificates with the application?

Thanks

[Rob180]

TCA has kindly advised me that the transitional arrangements were for SELT Tests only thankfully and in any case these applied only up until Nov 2015.