Updated 22 June April 2022 - Reference Doc addressing 5 areas:
1. The current ILR Application Procedure for a spouse.
2. Up-to-date processing timelines.
3. Priority slot availability.
4. Application Documents required.
5. Subsequent Passport/Citizenship Application.
Any help or info to improve this doc is appreciated.
ILR APPLICATION PROCEDURE - 5 Year Route.1) You can apply 28 days before the 5th anniversary of the date you landed.
2) Use the SET(M) form to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK as a partner of a person or parent of a child already settled in the UK.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-to-settle-in-the-uk-form-setm/apply-online-form-setm3) Fill out the application form (includes Life in the UK reference code - which looks something like this PSJ/201120/SW200JF03/C6OO212) ...
4) Submit the Application and pay the application fees - £2400
5) If Super Priority (£800) is available and you choose it you will not be offered use of the app. You will instead receive an email with a registration code for the UKVCAS website, then you:
- Book Biometric Appointment on the UKVCAS website immediately.
- Upload documents to the UKVCAS website before the Biometrics appointment.
- Attend Biometrics Appointment.
- Receive Visa Approval email if criteria is met - currently within 4-5 hours of the appointment.
6) If you do not choose Super Priority one of two things will happen.
a) You receive the app invite where you can upload documents and Biometrics.
b) You don't receive the app invite so you will:
- Book Biometrics Appointment on the UKVCAS website.
- Upload documents to the UKVCAS website before the Biometrics appointment.
- Attend Biometrics Appointment.
- Wait for visa approval email.
- Then wait. Try not to fret. Remember this is a visa guaranteed to be approved if you meet the criteria, which you do...
PROCESSING TIMELINESTime from completing ILR application to being granted access to the app (app is optional and not always available): 4-10 days.
Time from completing ILR application to booking a Biometric Appointment (non-Priority): Range 15-30 days.
Time from attending Biometrics Appointment to receiving ILR decision:
- Super Priority gives the decision shortly after Biometrics. Currently running at 4-5 hours after Biometrics.
- Normal Applications - if you use the app, or attend an appointment instead of using the app, it can take 6 months from submitting the biometrics.
Recent Decisions (please submit yours so we can see how they're running).
Applicant Biometric Appointment Decision
HMcartlidge 19JAN2022 27APRIL2022.
PRIORITY SLOT AVAILABILITYKsand24: "Not many - I think it was about 50 slots per day but with a lot Ukraine refugees applying now, there aren’t many slots available at all at the moment."
APPLICATION DOCUMENTS REQUIREDApplication Documents
- Applicant's passport.
- Any other passports held since moving to the UK.
- Signed sponsor's declaration (part of online application).
- Life in the UK Test.
- Language Test B1 (not required for applicants from the US, Canada or some other English speaking countries).
Proof of Identity/Travel History
- Sponsor's UK passport.
- Applicant's BRP card.
Finances
- 7 months of payslips.
- 7 months of bank statements.
- Employer letter.
Optional but recommended:
- Job contract.
- Latest P60.
- If using savings - £34,600 held in an account for over 6 months and immediately available.
Residence in the UK
Accommodation
- Lease agreement in both names.
- Latest council tax bill.
Cohabitation
- 6/7 items of mail in each name dated every 5 months going back 2.5 years (from at least 3 different sources). Either named together or within the same calendar month.
Other
- Marriage certificate.
- Any divorce decrees.
If you have any children under 18 living in the UK:
- Each child's passport.
- Each child's birth certificate.
- A letter dated in the last 3 months confirming each child's address (i.e. from GP or school).
- No IHS Surcharge!
CITIZENSHIP APPLICATION/PASSPORT - (DIFFERENT FROM ILR)
1) Before you can apply for a passport you need to become a UK citizen by applying for citizenship and then attending a UK citizenship ceremony.
2) If you are married to a UK citizen, you can apply for citizenship as soon as you have ILR as long as you meet the 3-year residency requirements.
3) It costs about £1300 for citizenship and can take up to 6 months for processing. You then have 3 months to attend to citizenship ceremony after that.
4) Once you have UK citizenship, you can apply for a UK passport, which is about £80 and takes up to a few weeks for processing.
CITIZENSHIP APPLICATION
This is a starting point – any help to improve the quality of the info is much appreciated.
1) Fill out the Application Form.
2) There are links to the Referee Forms.
3) Submit Form + Pay Fee
4) Mandatory Actions – includes Referee Forms (again) + Family Consent.
5) Sopra Steria. You love it. Register and book Biometric Appointment – availability approx 21days as of April 2022.
6) Upload Docs before Biometric Appointment (must complete at least 48hours before) or take the docs to the Appointment if you have booked/paid to have them scanned.
Citizenship is a completely different type of application and is in no way comparable to a spousal visa, FLR or ILR.
It is not a visa and it has almost no requirements. It is the easiest application you will fill in.
For citizenship (if married to a UK citizen), the only requirements are:
- Hold ILR
- Married to a UK citizen
- 3-year residency requirement (in UK 3 years prior to application date and no more than 270 days outside the UK in last 3 years)
- Good character requirement (no unspent convictions and you have been paying your taxes)
- 2 referees to confirm your identity
None of the spousal visa requirements apply to citizenship. There is:
- No accommodation requirement
- No financial requirement
- No relationship requirement (other than your marriage certificate)
Unless you are self-employed, pretty much the only documents you should need for citizenship are:
- Applicant’s passport
- UK spouse’s passport
- ILR BRP card
- Marriage certificate
- Life in the UK test reference number
- 2 referee forms
Citizenship Timelines.
Time from completing Citizenship Application to Biometrics - approx 21 Days according to one recent Applicant.
Average Citizenship Application processing times are usually 3-6 months from biometrics.
There is no Priority Service available for Citizenship Applications because it is not a visa.
Here is the link to Form AN – Application for naturalisation as a British Citizen.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/997950/form-an-07-21.pdf.
