ILR timeline partner 5 years route

The people on the New Rules 5-year partner route will start to be eligible for ILR soon (*waves at KFdancer*).  Do any of us plan to do their applications by post?  Would there be much interest in setting up a spreadsheet to track timelines for ILR applications, now that there is likely to be an uptick in the volume of them?

I didn't want to be the guinea pig.  But if it turns out they only take 2-3 months via post, I'll be annoyed!  But again, not willing to be the first.   

I didn't want to be the guinea pig.  But if it turns out they only take 2-3 months via post, I'll be annoyed!  But again, not willing to be the first.   

I don't blame you!  When I learned you were doing in person, I was disappointed, because that means one less person before me to test the waters.  But I've decided on in-person if I am able to book before the fee increase goes into effect.

The people on the New Rules 5-year partner route will start to be eligible for ILR soon (*waves at KFdancer*).  Do any of us plan to do their applications by post?  Would there be much interest in setting up a spreadsheet to track timelines for ILR applications, now that there is likely to be an uptick in the volume of them?

By all means, set up a spreadsheet. I suspect, if you build it, they will come! 

Our timeline is similar to yours. I think we're eligible March 1st. but at this stage the plan is definitely to do the in person appointment.

By all means, set up a spreadsheet. I suspect, if you build it, they will come! 

Our timeline is similar to yours. I think we're eligible March 1st. but at this stage the plan is definitely to do the in person appointment.

I have not-quite-completely plagiarized the non-priority spreadsheet, but the spreadsheet, sans data, is set up.  Now we wait.  I imagine it will be some months before anybody asks to be added to it, since people will likely choose in person before the next fee increase.  But who knows?

I have not-quite-completely plagiarized the non-priority spreadsheet, but the spreadsheet, sans data, is set up.  Now we wait.  I imagine it will be some months before anybody asks to be added to it, since people will likely choose in person before the next fee increase.  But who knows?

I think there will be a lot of people for whom the ILR application by itself will stretch them to the absolute limits financially.
We've kept abreast of the changes but for those that haven't, it'll be a huge shock when they find out just how expensive the application is now. 
I suspect a lot of those will apply by mail.

I think there will be a lot of people for whom the ILR application by itself will stretch them to the absolute limits financially.
We've kept abreast of the changes but for those that haven't, it'll be a huge shock when they find out just how expensive the application is now. 
I suspect a lot of those will apply by mail.

Yeah, I was stunned in April when I discovered how much the fee had gone up already.  I only looked because I wanted to be sure I was on track to save enough in time for my application.  I wasn't.  Not by a long shot.  So I ramped up my savings rate, and we've really tightened up our budgeting.  If I had discovered the fee at the last minute, I would've been devastated.

I'm always surprised when people don't keep up with immigration and the cost of the visas.  But I'm a numbers person, so the interest is always there!

On the big Facebook group, several people are planning to take a loan out for visa fees.  I don't think that's wise, but they didn't ask me.   

Not wise but I guess some have no option. When I read how some couples cannot meet the financial requirement for FLR(M) I feel so sad for them.

I'm always surprised when people don't keep up with immigration and the cost of the visas.  But I'm a numbers person, so the interest is always there!

On the big Facebook group, several people are planning to take a loan out for visa fees.  I don't think that's wise, but they didn't ask me.   

We have had to cut back on things to do it, but we are getting through this ordeal debt free.  I can see how borrowing might make sense for some people.  If you budgeted based on the normal single-digit percent increases that UKBA were doing back when our 5 years started (like I did), you might think you're on track, only to find out at the last minute that you're not.  And then you have this many years and this much money invested, so you do whatever it takes to finish the job, then you secure your citizenship, and you never have to worry about losing all the progress you've made.

But, yeah.  I'm glad we don't have to borrow.

We have had to cut back on things to do it, but we are getting through this ordeal debt free.  I can see how borrowing might make sense for some people.  If you budgeted based on the normal single-digit percent increases that UKBA were doing back when our 5 years started (like I did), you might think you're on track, only to find out at the last minute that you're not.  And then you have this many years and this much money invested, so you do whatever it takes to finish the job, then you secure your citizenship, and you never have to worry about losing all the progress you've made.

But, yeah.  I'm glad we don't have to borrow.

I fully understand having to borrow to fund the cost.  I don't understand living beyond your means (fancy holidays, luxury items, etc.) and then taking a loan for the visa.  Though it's likely all those other expenses are on credit cards!

I fully understand having to borrow to fund the cost.  I don't understand living beyond your means (fancy holidays, luxury items, etc.) and then taking a loan for the visa.  Though it's likely all those other expenses are on credit cards!

*shudder*  Credit cards, for us, are a tool of convenience.  We use them merely for quick transactions.  We never carry a balance.  I got so fed up paying ridiculous rates of interest to the banks for the privilege of spending my future money, but when I put money in the bank, I don't get any interest from them.  It's completely unfair, so I quit paying them.  *shakes fist*  Bastards!

I'm always surprised when people don't keep up with immigration and the cost of the visas. 

Not just the changes, I'm always surprised when people don't even know the rules they entered the UK under and that they had to keep to! My favourite on the EEA forums is always those who reply to a Mod putting this -

"The EU's 2004 Directive states that students or self sufficients must have Comprehensive Sickness Insurance"

with

"What!  When did the EU bring that in?"

 

Not just the changes, I'm always surprised when people don't even know the rules they entered the UK under and they had to keep to! My favourite on the EEA forums is always those who reply to a Mod putting this -

"The EU's 2004 Directive states that a students or a self sufficient must have CSIs"

with

"What? When did the EU bring that in?"

 

Heehee! 

I know someone who brought his bride in from an Asian country close to the same time I came over from the US.  He was unaware that her marriage visa was only good for six months and that after the wedding they had to apply for FLR(M).  He finally believed us, and while we were helping them with the first FLR(M) application, my husband kept trying to tell him that her visa will only be good for 30 months, so she'll have to apply again in 2.5 years.  And the whole time, the man kept saying, "No, we're on the 5 year route."  And my husband kept saying, "yes, it's 5 years until she is eligible for ILR.  But the visa she is getting now is only good for half that time... she'll have to apply for another visa halfway through."  The couple were due for FLR(M) #2 a few months ago.  We don't know if they applied.