Post July 2011 Effects on ILE Visa?

I have been married to my BC husband for 6 1/2 years. We are planning to move to the UK within the next 3-6months. In my search for visa info, I have come across a few references to some kind of ILR/ILE visa changes coming into play in July. What are these changes? Will I still qualify for ILE (once I take the KOL test) after July? We planned on taking a trip over in early May for 2-3 weeks, which is when I would do the KOL test.

I wasn't planning on applying for the visa until late June/early July since the earliest we will be able to bring our cats over is most likely going to be early August. What effects will this have? Should we plan on expediting our plans?

TIA!

There are no changes coming in July 2011... so no need to worry about anything .

The old UK government were planning to get rid of ILR (and presumably ILE too) in July 2011 and were going to replace it with a new scheme called probationary citizenship, however, they are no longer in power and the new government has scrapped the changes and ILR/ILE will remain as it is for the moment.

When you're looking for information on visas etc. on the forum or other website, it's good to bear in mind that anything more than a few months old is likely to be out of date and may not apply to you... especially right now, when there are so many changes being made to the immigration system. So, if you see any references to July 2011 changes or to a probationary citizenship scheme, just ignore them .

Ahhh...Whew! Glad to read that. I had assumed the changes were still valid since I've never once seen USCIS rescind/repeal any immigration changes.

So that means I still fill out the VAF4A form, correct?

They never formalised any changes, or even really said what they were planning to do.  So it wasn't so much deciding not to implement as never having any real plan.  

So that means I still fill out the VAF4A form, correct?

If you're in the US you will apply online. The VAF4A is informational ONLY and is not used for US Applicants.

But if she's applying for ILR, she'd need form SET (M).

But if she's applying for ILR, she'd need form SET (M).

She's not applying for ILR, she's applying for ILE from the US.

...We planned on taking a trip over in early May for 2-3 weeks, which is when I would do the KOL test.

I wasn't planning on applying for the visa until late June/early July since the earliest ...

You're right of course, I was confusing this with another thread.

If you're in the US you will apply online. The VAF4A is informational ONLY and is not used for US Applicants.

I understand. I printed the form off so I could look it over, and make sure I understood all the questions being asked.

Since there is supporting documentation that will be required, I assume that I will have to send it in separately from the online form? When you complete the online form, do you get some kind of reference document that you include with the supporting docs so that my app and the docs are matched up?

I did have one question so far about the visa process. I've read that we must be living together at the time of my visa application. Well, he may go over to the UK first, in order to get employment, so technically we won't be living together at the time of my visa application. Is this going to pose an issue?

Once you complete the online form you submit it electronically, print it out, schedule your biometrics appointment, print out the confirmation & then pay for it.

You then *after attending biometrics* put everything together (biometrics sheet, printed application, all your documents & passports) and overnight it to the Consulate for processing. If you want to use the Settlement Priority Service you purchase it ON THE DAY just prior to mailing it to the Consulate.

Technically they could refuse you as you wouldn't be 'living together' for the 4 years at the moment you apply for your visa...but I've not seen that happen to US applicants...yet. Considering that they're starting to be stringent about the interpretation of the rules it could happen in the future.