ILR (Spousal) question....

I moved to the UK three weeks ago on a FLR spousal visa, but want to get a head start on the ILR.  What can be used for ILR?  Right now my husband and I are staying with his grandparents until I get a job, so we can't use bills or council tax, etc..  I did registerd with a doctor and dentist and am trying to get myself added to my husband's bank account.  We also did open a joint savings.  I was told that I am not able to get a mobile phone until I have lived here for three years, but my husband did open an account in his name, so there is a bill coming to our house.

What else can I use? Can donation letters (like joining Amnesty International, etc..) be used?  I think that is a stupid question, but I don't know what else.  Also, how many items do we need and is it per person or together?

Thanks

You could try to register with the board of electors, and they'll send you a letter back telling you that since you're American, you can't vote.  You can use that letter as proof.
What about letters from employment agencies and prospective employers?  I don't see why you couldn't use those.
I don't think it's a hard and fast rule that you need to be a resident for three years before getting a mobile phone.  I have one in my own name.  I have T-Mobile.
Your bank may also offer you a credit card.  Mine did.
Also, if you start building credit, you'll have more options of getting things in your name in the future.  Freeman's (catalogue) was happy to give me an account.

Once you do get your own place, get on the Council tax bill, gas bill, electric bill, water bill, etc.

First of all, you should both register for council tax.  Not only will this help you, but it is a legal requirement.

Can your husband get a second mobile in his name but with you as the registered user?

You can be tricky...write to the council asking them to add you to the electoral register....they will write back saying they can't, and you can use that letter as evidence.

Donation letters can be used as 'soft evidence' if there is nothing else, but I am sure you can build info up.  You can register with the US embassy (handy if you lose your passport too), you can write to banks asking for an account and use those refusal letters....it takes a bit of imagination but it can be done.

Vicky

You could try to register with the board of electors, and they'll send you a letter back telling you that since you're American, you can't vote. You can use that letter as proof.
What about letters from employment agencies and prospective employers? I don't see why you couldn't use those.
I don't think it's a hard and fast rule that you need to be a resident for three years before getting a mobile phone. I have one in my own name. I have T-Mobile.
Your bank may also offer you a credit card. Mine did.
Also, if you start building credit, you'll have more options of getting things in your name in the future. Freeman's (catalogue) was happy to give me an account.

Once you do get your own place, get on the Council tax bill, gas bill, electric bill, water bill, etc.

I was told by t-mobile that i couldn't for three years   GRRRR

First of all, you should both register for council tax.  Not only will this help you, but it is a legal requirement.

Can your husband get a second mobile in his name but with you as the registered user?

You can be tricky...write to the council asking them to add you to the electoral register....they will write back saying they can't, and you can use that letter as evidence.

Donation letters can be used as 'soft evidence' if there is nothing else, but I am sure you can build info up.  You can register with the US embassy (handy if you lose your passport too), you can write to banks asking for an account and use those refusal letters....it takes a bit of imagination but it can be done.

Vicky

What about this council tax? I'm a bit confused.  Even though we are staying with his grandparents, we need to pay council tax? Do you know what I need to do?

I was told by t-mobile that i couldn't for three years   GRRRR

Oy!  Don't ya just love stuff like that!

Yeah, especially because I was with them for six years in America (but that doesn't matter here, I was told).  Maybe I should try the carphone warehouse?

Which bank are you with?  Bank of Scotland has been nothing but a problem with me!

HSBC.  They opened an account for me and signed me up for a credit card on the same day.  I honestly think, though, that it really varies not just by bank but by individual branch, as well.  My branch is located in London, in a neighborhood with a very large immigrant population, so they're probably accustommed to opening accounts for foreigners.  Every time I go into the branch, I hear at least 3 different languages being spoken.

Do you know if its a certain number of documents we'll need per year? And, if its a certain per person and joint?  Thanks

I was curious about this as well, and it looks like the SET(M) form will be changing on 22 June 2006.  Here's what it says regarding documentary evidence:

We need documentary evidence indicating that you and your partner are still living together as a couple and have done so during the past two years. Ideally, this evidence should indicate joint commitments in your finances, other responsibilities and social activities spread across the past 2 years/ 24 months.

Items of correspondence or other documentary evidence from sources of the kind listed below would be acceptable. These should be divided fairly equally between each of the two years, and be addressed jointly in both your names wherever possible. If you do not have any or enough in your joint names, items addressed to each of you individually may be acceptable, provided they show the same address and you provide roughly the same number of items in each of your names.

The items of evidence should be from at least 5 different official sources. Ideally, a total of 20 items of evidence should be provided.  If you are not able to do that, please provide at least 10 items.

Please give an explanation if you cannot provide at least 10 items and/or if the evidence is not in your joint names and/or it is not spread over the 24 month period as indicated. An explanation must also be provided for any periods when you did not live together, as well as evidence in support of the explanation and evidence to show how you maintained contact with each other during this time.

Your application could be delayed or even refused if you do not provide enough evidence of this kind.
• telephone bills or statements
• gas bills or statements
• electricity bills or statements
• water rates bills or statements
• council tax bills or statements
• mortgage statements or agreement
• bank or building society statements/passbooks
• tenancy agreement
• insurance policies/certificates or other correspondence
• loan agreements
• AA, RAC or similar membership
• membership of sports or social clubs
• membership of a religious organisation
• correspondence from government departments or agencies (eg HM Revenue and Customs, Inland Revenue, Department for Work and Pensions) including evidence that you have declared your relationship to the appropriate government bodies.
• correspondence from GP or local health authority (eg: NHS card, correspondence about ante-natal and post-natal treatment,
letter confirming dates of visits to the home address by a midwife, letter confirming registration with a dentist, etc - providing these documents show your home address and the date first registered)

The full application form is available here:  http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/6353/11406/formsetm0606.pdf