IRL questions

Hey everyone.. it looks like it’s that time again .
Yay 🙈

I am coming up to my IRL  - last one yay !!
(Visa expires the 1st of August) 

And of course I’m so overwhelmed yet again . I’m not sure why this freaks me out so much and turns me into a complete mess .

But just some questions to get started so I can dive into this to get it moving ..,

When is a good time to submit the paperwork .. if my visa expires on the 1st of August
(I must start speaking with HR) 

Does anyone have the link to start filling out the form on the UKVS site ..  or is it the same as last time .. I’m guessing we have to re-register .
( I printed my answers from the last one , something I didn’t do the 1st round)

When and where can I take the life in the U.K. test
(Also is there any cost I should be aware of) 
I know this is a requirement .. is this something done online ?? Or something you physically need to be present for ?


And what paperwork do I need for this round .. or is it basically the same as the last round .. I know this is 2 1/2 years worth of mail needed
( I feel like it’s been forever since the last one)

I’m looking to apply mid end of July to submit my paperwork so when should the spacing of the delivered mail start ..

I know you may have answered these questions 100+ times and I’m so sorry to ask again but you guys are the gurus

Thank you again for taking the time out to help ☺️

When is a good time to submit the paperwork .. if my visa expires on the 1st of August
(I must start speaking with HR) 

I see from your previous posts that you arrived in the UK on 2nd February 2018... which means you have been eligible to apply for ILR since 5th January 2023.

So, you can submit your online application on any day between today and 1st August 2023... but you will need to make sure you have all your paperwork ready before you submit it, because all your documents must be dated on or before the date you submit online.

Does anyone have the link to start filling out the form on the UKVS site ..  or is it the same as last time .. I’m guessing we have to re-register .
( I printed my answers from the last one , something I didn’t do the 1st round)

The application form is here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-to-settle-in-the-uk-form-setm/apply-online-form-setm

When and where can I take the life in the U.K. test
(Also is there any cost I should be aware of) 
I know this is a requirement .. is this something done online ?? Or something you physically need to be present for ?

The Life in the UK test costs £50 and has to be taken in person at one of the 30 testing centres in the UK.

If you fail it and need to retake, I believe you need to wait 7 days before you can take it again, so I would try to get it done ASAP. However, it will require a fair amount of preparation, as you will need to study the official Life in the UK book (all the questions are taken from the book), and I would do lots of practice tests too.

See here for how to book the test (must be booked at least 3 days in advance of when you want to take it):
https://www.gov.uk/life-in-the-uk-test

See here for how to order the study materials:
https://www.officiallifeintheuk.co.uk/shop

I would get started on studying for the test as soon as possible, as you don't have a massive amount of time left to pass it (it can be taken at any time in the 5 years leading up to ILR).

And what paperwork do I need for this round .. or is it basically the same as the last round .. I know this is 2 1/2 years worth of mail needed
( I feel like it’s been forever since the last one)

It's pretty much the same as last time, but with the Life in the UK test reference number needed, plus the 2.5 years of mail:

- your US passport, his UK passport, your BRP card, marriage certificate

- financial documents (payslips, bank statements, employer letter, P60, job contract)

- accommodation documents (if you rent: rental agreement and latest council tax statement. Or if you own, then Land Registry document, latest mortgage statement and latest council tax bill)

- cohabitation documents (2.5 years of mail, dated every 5 months)

- Life in the UK test reference number

- if either of you has any kids living in the UK, you also need their passport, birth certificate, and a letter dated in the last 3 months showing their address

I’m looking to apply mid end of July to submit my paperwork so when should the spacing of the delivered mail start ..

I would go with:
December 2020
May 2021
October 2021
March 2022
August 2022
January 2023
June 2023

Or if you will have any mail from July 2023 by the time you apply, you could use:
January 2021
June 2021
November 2021
April 2022
September 2022
February 2023
July 2023

I see from your previous posts that you arrived in the UK on 2nd February 2018... which means you have been eligible to apply for ILR since 5th January 2023.

So, you can submit your online application on any day between today and 1st August 2023... but you will need to make sure you have all your paperwork ready before you submit it, because all your documents must be dated on or before the date you submit online.

The application form is here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-to-settle-in-the-uk-form-setm/apply-online-form-setm

The Life in the UK test costs £50 and has to be taken in person at one of the 30 testing centres in the UK.

If you fail it and need to retake, I believe you need to wait 7 days before you can take it again, so I would try to get it done ASAP. However, it will require a fair amount of preparation, as you will need to study the official Life in the UK book (all the questions are taken from the book), and I would do lots of practice tests too.

See here for how to book the test (must be booked at least 3 days in advance of when you want to take it):
https://www.gov.uk/life-in-the-uk-test

See here for how to order the study materials:
https://www.officiallifeintheuk.co.uk/shop

I would get started on studying for the test as soon as possible, as you don't have a massive amount of time left to pass it (it can be taken at any time in the 5 years leading up to ILR).

It's pretty much the same as last time, but with the Life in the UK test reference number needed, plus the 2.5 years of mail:

- your US passport, his UK passport, your BRP card, marriage certificate

- financial documents (payslips, bank statements, employer letter, P60, job contract)

- accommodation documents (if you rent: rental agreement and latest council tax statement. Or if you own, then Land Registry document, latest mortgage statement and latest council tax bill)

- cohabitation documents (2.5 years of mail, dated every 5 months)

- Life in the UK test reference number

- if either of you has any kids living in the UK, you also need their passport, birth certificate, and a letter dated in the last 3 months showing their address

I would go with:
December 2020
May 2021
October 2021
March 2022
August 2022
January 2023
June 2023

Or if you will have any mail from July 2023 by the time you apply, you could use:
January 2021
June 2021
November 2021
April 2022
September 2022
February 2023
July 2023

As always u come through massively thank you so much .. i now have my test booked for July 11th and a just incase booked for the 18th of July ..

if I were to apply the last week in July .. I have all my paperwork ready I just need it all to be signed /stamped by work and my bank statements stamped

Would I 1) be able to use the mail list u have stated starting with December 2020 ?

2) does all my paperwork need to be dated 28 days before I apply like last time ?

3) I’ve been working on my application.. once I’m ready to submit it , as I forgot from last time do I then apply for biometrics after I get a conformation??

(Becasue if I remember correctly, once your application and payment are in  before the expiration date .. you’re  ok ?)

4) can I run all my paperwork by  this form before I submit ??

5) bank statements .. how many do you need .. I have almost all of them .. would 12 consecutive  months running be enough ??
Or where /what year should I start

Also same question for pay slips ? How many is needed this time around ??

I feel like it’s been so long I forget so much already

Many thanks again for everything 😊