Just got visa approval - what happens over the next 5 years?

We just got our spouse settlement visa approved and my mind now turns towards the next stage of settlement in a couple of years time.

First off, the letter states that 'you should be familiar with the terms and conditions of your stay in the UK'. There isn't a link to further information listed. Is this just the basis on which the visa was granted, or is there a set of guidelines somewhere which give general advice on what every new person settling in the U.K should be aware of? I get that the approval states 'live and work' and 'no access to public funds' but what other differences do immigrants have to abide by that would be different to UK born citizens, if any?

My next question, the period on the approval letter states permission to be in the U.K. for 2 years and 9 months. When would we need to start applying again?

I'm not familiar with what this process or application route is called.

With everything going on regards immigration in the U.K. at the moment, I'm aware that there could be changes to policies in the next few years, but for now, I'd like to understand what the current process is so that we can start planning for that and not have a big panic that we didn't get everything in order, earlier. For example, I've been told to start getting my husbands name on utility bills as soon as possible after he arrives. This suggests to me that there will be similar minimum requirements as per the spousal visa process we just went through to evidence specific criteria to show proof of living together for the whole period since he arrives, up to the next submission. What are the other minimum requirements?

Is there a thread about this or a link to guidelines for what we would need to submit (based on current policy) so that we can bear this all in mind and start taking action ASAP so we have all our ducks in a row for the future. Decided it was best to know this all now so that it's much easier to pull together in the future.

Also, I may be skipping quite far ahead here, but once we submit the second application, do we have to do another application in 5 years time? Don't necessarily need to know the specifics on this, more that I just want to get a picture of the long-term landscape of this process so we are organised. It took such a long time to get through all of this first part, I think it's best to be prepared and have a good understanding of what comes next based on current process and policies.

Thank you 

There are no real differences - you can live, work, study and use the NHS without restriction.

You can't access public funds (except income-related ones based on NI contributions), but other than that, there's not much else.

Just be careful not to get any criminal convictions or anything.

You can apply for the next visa 28 days before reaching 30 months in the UK (from the date he enters). The route you are on is: settlement visa as the family member of a UK citizen. The next visa is FLR(M) - further leave to remain.

To prepare for the next visa, start getting his name on bills and things and start saving both of your mail. Don't go paperless on anything - you will need to provide mail covering 2 years of living together for the next visa. This will be your relationship evidence for the next visa - showing you have been living together.

Other than that, the visa requirements are exactly the same as for the spousal visa.

The FLR(M) will be valid for 2 years and 6 months (30 months) and then 28 days before he reaches 60 months in the UK, he can apply for ILR (so after 5 years in total).

The FLR(M) visa is currently £811 + £500 NHS surcharge

ILR is currently £1,875.

After he has ILR, and he meets the requirements for citizenship, he can apply for UK citizenship.


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Make sure you get paper statements for EVERYTHING.  Do not go paperless.  For your next two visas, you will need mail addressed to both of you at the same address spread throughout your relationship.  Keep everything.

The next visa will be FLR(M) which is Further Leave to Remain based on marriage.  He can apply for this as early as 28 days prior to his 30 month anniversary in the UK or anytime up until his expiry date.  Currently this visa is £1,311 (£811 + £500 NHS).  This visa has been increasing on average 25% each year and has an approved maximum cost of £3,250 by 2020 (not including the surcharge).

After 30 months on FLR(M), he will apply for ILR which is Indefinite Leave to Remain.  He can also apply for this within 30 days of his expiry date of his FLR(M).  Currently this visa is £1,875 and also has been increasing about 25% each year and has an approved maximum cost of £3,250 by 2020 so will likely be higher before your husband qualifies.

Currently if you want to apply in person for these visas it is an additional fee of £500.

After that, he can choose to apply for citizenship if he would like.  Otherwise he can REMAIN in the UK for as long as he wants.  He'll still need to keep up with UKVI changes though as they make them frequently and that can affect ILR holders.

I recommend not planning travel around visa renewal times. 

That's about all there is too it.  It's genuinely all about money.  I expect the fees to continue to increase substantially each year and possibly be much worse due to Brexit.  But they cannot go above the maximum's that are currently approved without additional parliament approval.  They are truly stress testing the fees to find the point that immigration numbers start to drop.

I was going to ask the same question...but thanks to you both Kfdancer and Ksand24...    much appreciated  and grateful  for this information

Thanks KS and KF. That's exactly what I wanted to know 

I expect the fees to continue to increase substantially each year and possibly be much worse due to Brexit.

Was just reading this article. Woah!

https://www.forum-expat-management.com/users/13457-newland-chase/posts/11201-uk-visa-applications-increase-due-to-brexit-vote

I wonder if European migration to the U.K. will continue to rise over the next couple of years as Europeans panic they won't easily get in to the UK after Brexit is implemented? That's gonna be some huge task to figure out how you account for processing 3.5 million European immigration applications, should they need to apply to remain in the U.K. once Britain leaves the EU!

 

but what other differences do immigrants have to abide by that would be different to UK born citizens, if any?

A driving offence. Some fines at the roadside can only be dealt with in court for a foreign licence holder, Then you end up having to declare that court conviction on your visa applications.

Sirius reminded me.

He can only drive on his US license for 1 year.  If he hasn't received his UK license in that time, he'll be treated as a learner driver (assuming he has his provisional license before then).

I wonder if European migration to the U.K. will continue to rise over the next couple of years as Europeans panic they won't easily get in to the UK after Brexit is implemented?

Their problem is that even once in the UK, they need at least 6 years of EU laws in the UK and that is unlikely with Brexit. These people are fully aware that they will have to see if they are offered anything under Brexit. Most realise that even if they are, it won't be as generous as they are given by the UK under EU laws.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/sep/13/zero-chance-eu-citizens-keep-same-rights-post-brexit-expert

Plus the UK have made it clear that they expect this rush and have said they may have a cutoff date, after which there will be nothing offered to these. They won't say when that cutoff date was as they can't do this under EU law. Junker is now getting sued in the European Court by a few expats and this may help sort out these details in advance.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jul/17/brexit-minister-cut-off-date-eu-migrants-david-davis

That's gonna be some huge task to figure out how you account for processing 3.5 million European immigration applications, should they need to apply to remain in the U.K. once Britain leaves the EU!

No. EU laws will end on Brexit. The UK will decide who may stay and who doesn't and on what terms. As that article above from the barrister explained,  EU laws or court rulings that they are using to be in the UK, won't be there anymore with Brexit.

And that 3.5 million is just those who hold EEA citizenshship! There are at least hundreds of thousands  of non-EEA citizens who are in the UK under various European Court rulings; rulings that are far removed from the original 'free movement for only  EEA citizens workers. i.e. Non-EEA citizens were not allowed to be family members to enter the EU until a court ruling in 2008

Even if any of those using EU rules manage to get British citizenship before Brexit, the end of EU law might still affect them too as they will be under UK laws. i.e. the UK pension laws say a 10 years minimum of contributions for a part UK pension but the EU law said they only have to have one year; any family members they have brought to the UK can no longer reside as their sponsor is now British and must follow UK immigration laws to sponsor.

Sirius reminded me.

He can only drive on his US license for 1 year.  If he hasn't received his UK license in that time, he'll be treated as a learner driver (assuming he has his provisional license before then).

I left that for you