I'm just gonna put it all out there,
I've been living here for over 6 years and am currently going through the process of applying for my ILR Set (M). First I came over on a CoS where I managed to get sponsorship through a UK company. I changed to a spouse visa after a year and a half. I went on and applied for an FLR(M) on the 5 year route. I'm now finally at the point of achieving my ILR(M) with that being only one more step to go to becoming a citizen.
I just feel like the proverbial carrot has been dangling in front of me the whole way through. I mean I've been grafting me ars* off. I've started a limited company since the CoS went sour, I succeeded in that and managed to buy a house, although I'm still not a permanent resident, and still through applying for an ILR I feel like I'm not worth the gum on any street corner or some unfortunate soul's shoe tromping through Leicester town centre.
I took the Life in the UK test today in said city centre, passed with I''m confident was a 100% rate btw

. It was a demeaning process.

I sat in the room with a young asian lady that didn't really understand that she had to bring a second form of identity to take the test. It didn't even seem apparent that she understood she would lose the £50 and have to re-book to take the test because of this error on her part. She just kind of sat there in a daze. I felt really sorry for her and wondered how I would feel in the same situation.
It just seems like there is this purposeful withholding of information to trip you up rather than spell out what responsibilities and obligations you will have to meet to gain a short stay visa or permanent residency.
My wife, btw, before I chose to move to the UK, was given a green card in the US in only 2.5 years.
There is something fundamentally wrong with this system. I have been contributing the whole way through and still feel it is not good enough and the carrot is still just out of reach.
Anyone?