FLR(M)#2 - by post, approved in 6 weeks!

I want to thank the members of this forum, again, for always being there with knowledgeable guidance.  I posted my FLR(M)#2 application 6 weeks ago today, and I received my supporting documents and approval letter in this morning's post, followed an hour later with my BRP by courier.  I am now 30 29 months and one LIUK test away from applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain!  Phew!

It's my understanding that the earliest I can apply for ILR is 5 years from the date my first FLR(M) was issued (June 5, 2018), and that application is SET(M).  Correct?  Can I apply up to 28 days before that date, or must I wait the full five years?  Also, I just read through the SET(M) application to get an idea of what I'll need to provide... unlike the FLR(M), it doesn't have a minimum income threshold.  Do we know how much income they will deem sufficient for maintenance?  My husband has wanted to find a different job since before I came along, but he's stayed in his present employment because it's secure and adequately paid. Can he consider something that might pay less than the £18,600 now, or do we have to wait another 2-1/2 years before he can pursue something that would make him happier if not richer?

Congratulations, that's great news!   

Don't pay too much attention to the SET(M) as it is at the moment as it's a remnant from the days of the old rules.

No one on the new rules has been here long enough to qualify yet for ILR but there will be a new form in time for that and there will still be the same income requirement as there is now.

Congratulations, that's great news!   

Thanks!  It's a huge relief... especially as I didn't expect a response for at least two more weeks, so I panicked when the parcel showed up with the post today.  I thought it was bad news.

Don't pay too much attention to the SET(M) as it is at the moment as it's a remnant from the days of the old rules.

No one on the new rules has been here long enough to qualify yet for ILR but there will be a new form in time for that and there will still be the same income requirement as there is now.

That's a really good point about the effect of the new rules on SET(M) applications.  I hadn't considered they would make drastic changes as a result... I just figured once we satisfied the 5 years, we'd just do what they've done up 'til now.

But when you say "there will still be the same income requirement as there is now," do you mean the same SET(M) income requirement as there is now (no specific minimum), or the SET(M) will have an income requirement matching the FLR(M) application (£18,600)?

The current SET(M) application is based on the old, pre-July 2012 immigration rules and therefore has only a 2-year residency requirement and no minimum income requirement.

As of July 2012, the SET(M) requirement was changed to 5 years of residency and a minimum income of £18,600. However this only applies to people who applied for their fiancé/spousal/first FLR(M) visa after July 2012... So no one will qualify for ILR under the new rules until July 2017... For which they will need to change the SET(M) form so that it applies to people on the 5-year path with a  minimum income of £18,600 and not the old 2-year path with no minimum income.

So for now there's no point in looking at the current SET(M) form because it's still the old form and the requirements on it won't apply to you when you are ready to apply.

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or the SET(M) will have an income requirement matching the FLR(M) application (£18,600)?

This!

*sigh*  Well, that's useful but disappointing information.  Thank you guys, again.  We'll muddle through another 2-1/2 years, then.  At least the higher income means we can save for a house faster.

I really wish I'd met my husband a few months earlier.  I think we knew enough about the changes to the rules at the time that we would have moved our plans up to get in under the old rules, if only we'd known each other for just a little bit longer at the time.

*sigh*  Well, that's useful but disappointing information.  Thank you guys, again.  We'll muddle through another 2-1/2 years, then.  At least the higher income means we can save for a house faster.

I really wish I'd met my husband a few months earlier.  I think we knew enough about the changes to the rules at the time that we would have moved our plans up to get in under the old rules, if only we'd known each other for just a little bit longer at the time.

Don't let the news ruin your "happy" from being approved for FLR !