Preparing for ILR

Hi, guys:

I'm American, husband is British, I've been here for 4.5 years now on a spouse visa, have my FLR and biometric card, and I'm up for ILR this September.  I'm starting to think about the application and everything I have to get ready for it. Are there any good links about ILR specifically on this forum, what I need to get ready for it, and maybe a helpful time-line?

I also know I have to take Life in the UK test at some point before ILR. How long does it take to prepare for the test? Is it very difficult? I'm also a midwifery student, with two kids, and a million other things to do, so studying is the last thing I have time for. If I read the book, and do about 3 weeks prep on it before the test, will that be enough time? Should I plan to take it early enough that if I fail, there will be time to sit it again?

This has been on my to-do list since Jan, and I'm only now starting to sort it out in April. I feel like maybe I've left it too late already, and am panicking. Ugh! Any thoughts or advice very much appreciated!

Thank you,
Ali

Hi, guys:

I'm American, husband is British, I've been here for 4.5 years now on a spouse visa, have my FLR and biometric card, and I'm up for ILR this September.  I'm starting to think about the application and everything I have to get ready for it. Are there any good links about ILR specifically on this forum, what I need to get ready for it, and maybe a helpful time-line?

I also know I have to take Life in the UK test at some point before ILR. How long does it take to prepare for the test? Is it very difficult? I'm also a midwifery student, with two kids, and a million other things to do, so studying is the last thing I have time for. If I read the book, and do about 3 weeks prep on it before the test, will that be enough time? Should I plan to take it early enough that if I fail, there will be time to sit it again?

This has been on my to-do list since Jan, and I'm only now starting to sort it out in April. I feel like maybe I've left it too late already, and am panicking. Ugh! Any thoughts or advice very much appreciated!

Thank you,
Ali

The ILR application is almost exactly the same as your FLR(M) with the addition of the life in the UK test as you've noted.
I'd get on with it asap, you can do it any time and the sooner it's off your plate, the better.
I'd say your 3 week timetable is realistic. I'd read the book, do as many online tests as it takes to start passing every time then go back and re-read any sections that are still tripping you up!

Hey,

Are there any good links about ILR specifically on this forum, what I need to get ready for it, and maybe a helpful time-line?

There's not really any links, other than the application form.

The ILR application is almost exactly the same as the FLR(M) application, except this time you don't pay the IHS surcharge, and you have to pass the Life in the UK test before you apply.

You can apply up to 28 days before you reach 5 years in the UK, and you'll need to take and pass the Life in the UK test before you apply.

You will also need to provide 2 years of evidence of co-habitation, like you did for the FLR(M) visa.

I also know I have to take Life in the UK test at some point before ILR. How long does it take to prepare for the test? Is it very difficult? I'm also a midwifery student, with two kids, and a million other things to do, so studying is the last thing I have time for. If I read the book, and do about 3 weeks prep on it before the test, will that be enough time? Should I plan to take it early enough that if I fail, there will be time to sit it again?

I would take it as soon as you can, just to get it out of the way. You could actually have taken it at any time in the last 4.5 years as the pass certificate never expires.

I'm not sure how much prep other people have done, but you'll want to learn the book (because the questions are taken straight from the book) and take as many practice tests as you can. I think there are some online learning tools as well?

I would probably aim to take it in the next couple of months.

I feel like maybe I've left it too late already, and am panicking. Ugh! Any thoughts or advice very much appreciated!

Don't panic - you have plenty of time to take it before September .

Thank you for these responses! Feel much less panicked now! Will book the test for June and keep all of you posted. :-)