Ticking Clock - a question about timelines for ILR

Hi All,

So I'm coming up to my 2-year anniversary on my spousal visa. I have my Life in the UK test booked, and I have all the documents I need ready.

But, I think I might have a problem with the timelines.

From what I see, I can apply for my ILR 28 days before the date on my Visa - which happens to be Boxing day. So I can send off my documents around 26 November. The issue I have is that I have a coach trip to Brussels booked for 5 December, and I'm going to the US to visit my family over Christmas on 19 December.

I don't think it's possible, but if I do a postal application and send it off at the end of November, am I going to get my passport back before I need it? Am I better off doing a face-to-face application? I'm more concerned about the trip to the US, rather than the Brussels trip.

if I do a postal application and send it off at the end of November, am I going to get my passport back before I need it?

Definitely a no for the Brussels trip.  Most likely a no for the trip to the US.  Postal applications take 4-6 weeks on average to process, more during peak times.  If you want to go on your trips, you'll need to make an in-person application for ILR as soon as you're eligible (but note that your 2-year qualifying period starts from the day you arrived in the UK, not the date your visa started.  Depending on how soon you entered the UK after you got your visa, that might make a difference.)