ILR Long Residence - a few preliminary questions!

Hi everyone! I'm looking into starting my settlement visa via the long residence route.

I've been in the UK since September 2008, but because I started at university with the opportunity to travel a lot, I didn't meet the 540 days criteria until September this year.

On the Gov website, I can't see very detailed info on supporting documents - they seem to just want all your relevant passports and your current BRP. Is there anywhere I can find more detailed info on the docs they typically like to see? (Here's where I'm looking: https://www.gov.uk/long-residence/documents-you-must-provide)

I'm also very very curious about the time frame!! On the Gov site it says standard application can take up to 6 months Would I be able to visit my family in America in those 6 months, or is it possible they could have my current passport and BRP with them for the duration? Should I opt for the £800 super priority that promises 2 working days from your biometric appointment?

Thanks in advance!!

I can't answer the document questions, but due to covid it definitely may take 6 months (or more) and you cannot travel while it's processing. Many of us are still waiting for BRP's from applications March-June. If priority is available when you apply I would use it, but personally I will be incredibly pissed if they restart priority while we are still waiting from early in the pandemic with no sign of when they will clear the backlog.

I can't answer the document questions, but due to covid it definitely may take 6 months (or more) and you cannot travel while it's processing. Many of us are still waiting for BRP's from applications March-June. If priority is available when you apply I would use it, but personally I will be incredibly pissed if they restart priority while we are still waiting from early in the pandemic with no sign of when they will clear the backlog.

Yikes I am so sorry you're going through that!! They don't mention that at all on the Gov site, not even in their COVID advice for UK visa applicants.