applying for spousal visa premium service..do i have to take life in the UKtest?

do i need to take life in the UK test if applying for spousal visa via premium service?
also, do i need to provide any extra documentation other than what is listed on the UK.GOV website for a mailed spousal visa? once its approved via premium service am i allowed to remain in the UK from then on? I know premium service is expensive and applying from the usa typically most visas are approved but premium service is a better fit for my husband and I.

Anything helps!

First off, I'm confused - what premium service? There is no premium service available for spousal visa applications because the visa is processed in Sheffield and you have no choice but to mail it there from the US.     

And you cannot apply in person in the UK unless you are already living in the UK on a different visa valid more than 6 months (or a fiancé visa which is valid 6 months) and are switching to FLR(M).

So, if you are in the UK as a visitor right now and you attempt to apply in person at a premium service centre, you will be turned away/your visa will be refused because you don't qualify to apply from inside the UK.

So if you have a premium appointment booked and you do not currently hold a fiancé, work or student visa allowing you to live in the UK, you need to cancel it and request a refund, then fly back to the US to apply for the spousal visa by mail.

To answer your question, no, the Life in the UK test is not required until you apply for ILR after 5 years in the UK on spousal/FLR(M) visas.

You can take the test at any time once you have your spousal visa (providing you have proof of your UK address by way of a utility bill or similar) as the pass certificate never expires but you don't need to do it until you are about to apply for ILR.



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Okay. Sorry I'm an idiot. I thought I was able to apply in person for my spousal visa. I don't currently live in the UK. ugh!
Thank you Ksand

No problem - at least you found out now and not when you actually tried to apply.

Spousal visas are only processed in Sheffield and you have to be in the US when you apply as you are required to give biometrics at a USCIS Application Support Center, and once you have done that, they will only accept mailed-in applications.

The UKVI site is a bit confusing because it talks about how to apply for FLR(M) if you are already in the UK but although it does state you cannot apply if you are a visitor in the UK, it's not made obvious that this is the case (they don't draw attention to it, you have to read through the eligibility section to find it).


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Okay, thanks! I'm waiting on a few more documents from my husband to send it off. He is self employed so his application will be a little more complex but we are confident that we have provided all the right paperwork. (I'm going to post it on here once I have it all in my possession)
One requirement of self employed is proof of contributions to class 2 national insurance
My husband was irresponsible and didn't pay for his over the past 4 or 5 years so he has requested a bill from them to pay the full amount due and then requesting a letter from them stating his account is up to date. Do you see that being a problem when we apply? Do you think they will deny his visa since the payment was just recently paid or do you think as long as it's up to date he is okay? All paperwork is on track that is just the only thing worrying me. Thanks in advance for your knowledge:)