ILR by post

Hi all,
I’ve finally made it to the last hurdle of this five year journey. Thankfully I found this forum at the very beginning and I’ve been able to clear each hurdle with the spot on advice and patience of this group.

I am now qualified to apply for ILR (entered UK 13/10/2013) and have gathered all the necessary paperwork and filled in the online form.

We aimed to do an in person appointment like we did with the previous visa but when I look to book one the system says that there are no available appointments for the next 45 days and that is for every location. Is it just that busy this time of year or am I missing something?

In light of this we thought the only other option is to do it by post. Only problem there is we are set to move (just bought a house- yay!) end of November beginning Dec. So my question is what do I do about address for sending docs back as I don’t know where we will be when they get to deciding on the visa.

Last question I promise, since we did in person last time I didn’t have to worry about biometrics but by post I’m responsible for getting them done right?  If so where do I go? Or where can I find out that information?

Sorry for the long post! We had a rock solid plan before realising in person appointments weren’t available. ☹️

Thank you Kristina

Congratulations on reaching your 5 years .

I am now qualified to apply for ILR (entered UK 13/10/2013) and have gathered all the necessary paperwork and filled in the online form.

We don’t actually recommend using the online form as it has a number of issues compared with the paper form (including different, ambiguous and confusing questions).

You also have to submit it before you send in your documents/attend an appointment, whereas if you use the paper form, you can keep editing it right up until the day you submit everything.

We aimed to do an in person appointment like we did with the previous visa but when I look to book one the system says that there are no available appointments for the next 45 days and that is for every location. Is it just that busy this time of year or am I missing something?

It says that most of the time, to be honest, so you just have to keep trying - often you have to try to book 45 working days before the date you want. It has taken some people several weeks of checking every single day (often at midnight) to get an appointment.

However, they’re supposed to be changing things on 8th October and may be stopping the in-person appointments, which could be why there are none available.

So my question is what do I do about address for sending docs back as I don’t know where we will be when they get to deciding on the visa.

Congrats on the new house .

Can you use a relative’s address instead?

Last question I promise, since we did in person last time I didn’t have to worry about biometrics but by post I’m responsible for getting them done right?  If so where do I go? Or where can I find out that information?

You don’t do them until after you have applied. When UKVI receive your application they will send you a biometrics invitation letter inviting you to give biometrics at a local Post Office (or if you apply online I think you get the letter right away).


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Hi all,
I’ve finally made it to the last hurdle of this five year journey. Thankfully I found this forum at the very beginning and I’ve been able to clear each hurdle with the spot on advice and patience of this group.

I am now qualified to apply for ILR (entered UK 13/10/2013) and have gathered all the necessary paperwork and filled in the online form.

We aimed to do an in person appointment like we did with the previous visa but when I look to book one the system says that there are no available appointments for the next 45 days and that is for every location. Is it just that busy this time of year or am I missing something?

In light of this we thought the only other option is to do it by post. Only problem there is we are set to move (just bought a house- yay!) end of November beginning Dec. So my question is what do I do about address for sending docs back as I don’t know where we will be when they get to deciding on the visa.

Last question I promise, since we did in person last time I didn’t have to worry about biometrics but by post I’m responsible for getting them done right?  If so where do I go? Or where can I find out that information?

Sorry for the long post! We had a rock solid plan before realising in person appointments weren’t available. ☹️

Thank you Kristina

Welcome! 

It is normal for the system not to show any appointments most of the time. It usually takes people a few days to a week of searching until they manage to get one.
However, in October, the system is being completely overhauled and we are not sure what will take the place of the premium appointments as they are now.

Have you submitted and paid for your online application? When does your visa expire? If you haven't and you have time to wait, you could, if you wanted to, wait and see what the new system will offer as a priority service option.

Thank you Ksand24 and larrabee,

Im so happy to have reached my five years. It’s such a long - and expensive- road but so worth it.
To answer your questions:
I forgot about the paper application thinking that you had to do the online app in order to pay and set up appointment. Am I completely wrong in that assumption?

We do have a relative’s address we can use, this would be for them to send back the paperwork and my BRP or is that separate?
Can we use my husband’s work address as well?

My visa expires in Dec so I can wait to see what transpires on the 8th Oct. If for some reason we can’t do an in person appointment we can then send in the application straight away there after.
It is good to know that I’m just being impatient rather then being completely out of luck. You’d think I would have learned my lesson after 3 visas!!
Relieved about biometrics, at least I’ll be prompted to do it rather than having to worry about hunting down that info too! 

Thanks again, Kristina

Thank you Ksand24 and larrabee,

Im so happy to have reached my five years. It’s such a long - and expensive- road but so worth it.
To answer your questions:
I forgot about the paper application thinking that you had to do the online app in order to pay and set up appointment. Am I completely wrong in that assumption?

We do have a relative’s address we can use, this would be for them to send back the paperwork and my BRP or is that separate?
Can we use my husband’s work address as well?

My visa expires in Dec so I can wait to see what transpires on the 8th Oct. If for some reason we can’t do an in person appointment we can then send in the application straight away there after.
It is good to know that I’m just being impatient rather then being completely out of luck. You’d think I would have learned my lesson after 3 visas!!
Relieved about biometrics, at least I’ll be prompted to do it rather than having to worry about hunting down that info too! 

Thanks again, Kristina

Just to confirm, you have not submitted the online application? If you have already submitted and paid for it, you need to move ahead that way and send your  documents in now. 

Currently you can definitely use the paper form and attend an in-person appointment.

That’s right Larrabee.
I’ve filled it in but it’s sitting in limbo at the moment.
I’ll abandon it in favour of the paper form.

Thanks.

That’s right Larrabee.
I’ve filled it in but it’s sitting in limbo at the moment.
I’ll abandon it in favour of the paper form.

Thanks.

Excellent! It's much easier. 

Im so happy to have reached my five years. It’s such a long - and expensive- road but so worth it.
To answer your questions:
I forgot about the paper application thinking that you had to do the online app in order to pay and set up appointment. Am I completely wrong in that assumption?

No, you can either book the in-person appointment first and then print the paper form and fill it out, or if you apply online, you have to submit the application form first before booking the appointment.

We do have a relative’s address we can use, this would be for them to send back the paperwork and my BRP or is that separate?
Can we use my husband’s work address as well?

You’ll want to use a correspondence address that you trust and that you know someone will be there to sign for your passport/BRP. The documents and BRP are sent back separately. The BRP is delivered by DX courier and I think requires a signature.

Relieved about biometrics, at least I’ll be prompted to do it rather than having to worry about hunting down that info too! 

You’d never have to hunt down the information because you aren’t allowed to give biometrics without first getting an invitation to do so from UKVI (either by way of an in-person appointment or an invitation letter) .



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I am in the exact same situation as OP.  I had two easy FLR(m) premium appointments at Croydon so I never dreamed it would be so difficult to get one for my ILR appointment. However, I had success booking online at midnight (tonight).  It's not my preferred location or date, but needs/must.  I will keep checking back to see if anything shifts.  I am glad I took the one I did because shortly afterwards, all available slots (anywhere) were past my visa expiration date.   Nothing terrible about doing things by post; it would just be cutting it close for some upcoming travel plans.