Theres a reasonably comprehensive walkthrough and list of docs here:
https://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=100139.105For your convenience here it is as well:
Updated 11 Jan 2023 - Reference Doc addressing 4 areas:
1. Current ILR Application Procedure for a spouse.
2. Processing timelines.
3. Priority slot availability.
4. Application Documents required.
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 (see PRIORITY SLOT AVAILABILITY below for availability times) 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 TIMELINES
Time 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): 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 Non-Priority Applications - if you use the app, or attend an appointment instead of using the app, it can take 6 months from submitting the biometrics. Normal Non-Priority Applications taking 4.5 months (July 2022).
PRIORITY SLOT AVAILABILITY
• A certain number of priority slots are released each day. I think the person who set this up used a very simple routine which releases the appointments each day but did not account for Daylight Savings. So the appointments become available at 1am. If I am right this will be Midnight in Winter.
• We think it's 50 each day. If you stay up until 1am you should get one.
• Once that is booked and paid for you make your Biometrics appointment at one of the UKVCAS centres. These slots are available up to 28 days in advance. Each day at 9am the newly available slots (i.e. the ones in 28 days time) are added.
Still with me? ....
APPLICATION DOCUMENTS REQUIRED + CONFIRMED/APPROVED UPLOAD CATEGORIES (July 2022)
Proof of Application
- Applicant's passport.
- Any other passports held since moving to the UK.
- Signed sponsor's declaration/consent form (part of online application).
Other
- Life in the UK Test (if code not earlier uploaded in application)
- Language Test B1 (not required for applicants from the US, Canada or some other English speaking countries).
Residence in the UK
- 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.
- Lease agreement in both names or Official Copy of Title Deed if owned.
- Latest council tax bill.
- Latest mortgage statement, if you have a mortgage
- A letter dated in the last 3 months confirming each child's address (i.e. from GP or school).
Finances
- 7 months of payslips.
- 7 months of bank statements.
- Employer letter.
- If using savings - £34,600 held in an account for over 6 months and immediately available + a declaration stating source of funds and that the funds are immediately available to withdraw.
Optional but recommended:
- Job contract.
- Latest P60.
Proof of Identity / Travel History
- Applicant's BRP card.
- Sponsor's UK passport.
- Marriage certificate.
- Any divorce decrees.
If you have any children under 18 living in the UK:
- Each child's passport (if you have any children under 18 living in the UK)
- Each child's birth certificate (if you have any children under 18 living in the UK)
- No IHS Surcharge!
If you have paid for UKVCAS Document Checking (£48) you will receive the following email before Biometrics:
Thank you for uploading your supporting documents to the UK Visas and Citizenship Application Service website. We have now completed the following checks of the files that were available as of (today's date).
• Checked for the presence of all mandatory documents
• Checked that all documents are legible
• Checked that all documents been uploaded to the correct category
• Checked for any obvious missing pages
• Checked that all uploaded documents are in either English or Welsh language, or have an accompanying English or Welsh translation.
No action required: Following a review of supporting documents available, we can confirm that:
• Mandatory documents are present in all required categories
• All documents are legible
• All documents have been uploaded to the correct category
• There are no obvious missing pages in any of the documents
• All documents are in either English or Welsh language, or are accompanied with an English or Welsh translation that obviously relates to the original
.
