FLR Checklist?

Hey guys! Does anyone have a checklist to go by to prepare for applying for the FLR?

Thank you!


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Hey guys! Does anyone have a checklist to go by to prepare for applying for the FLR?

Thank you!


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There is no one check list because it will depend on the individual circumstances. Did you enter as a spouse or a fiancee?

If as a spouse, your evidence will be pretty much the same as your initial visa. If as a fiancee you will need the marriage certificate in place of the wedding planning. And for both you will need the mail to each of you at the same address as explained in the application form.

Why don't you have a go at a list yourself and we'll check it over for you? 

I entered as a spouse... my sponsor and I are living with his parents for about a year until we can save up enough money for our own place... so I’m worried we won’t have enough bills to conjure up in both of our names for the first year.


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I see from your previous posts, you have only recently entered the UK as a spouse on a 33-month spousal visa.

For FLR(M), all the documents you need are listed on the FLR(M) application form:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-to-extend-stay-in-the-uk-as-a-partner-or-dependent-child-form-flrm

It's basically all the same financial and accommodation documents as for the spousal visa, just updated, but the relationship documents are slightly different.

This time, instead of evidence of communication during your relationship, you provide 6 documents addressed to both of you at the same UK address (either 6 joint, or 12 separate, or a combination of both, giving 6 in each name), from at least 3 different official sources, spread evenly over the last 2 years. If you haven't been here long enough to get 6 documents yet, then you need to write a letter explain this. All the details are on the FLR(M) application form.

So, if you have only just arrived in the UK, the things you need to do now, to start preparing for FLR(M) in 2.5 years are:
- get your name on as many official documents as you can (tenancy, council tax, utility bills, bank statements, NHS, etc.)
- turn OFF paperless for everything, so you both receive all your mail in the post
- start saving ALL your mail

I entered as a spouse... my sponsor and I are living with his parents for about a year until we can save up enough money for our own place... so I’m worried we won’t have enough bills to conjure up in both of our names for the first year.


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In that case, I would get your name on as many things as you can while living there:
- ask if your name can be added to a utility bill, or for a bill to be put in your name
- register with an NHS GP,  so you receive correspondence from them in your name (but you'll need mail in your name at your UK address in order to register)
- open a bank account (you'll need mail in your name at your UK address for this)
- apply for a provisional driver's licence

We are looking at staying with his parents for around 2 years to save up a big enough deposit for a house together in the future. We won’t be on any of the utility bills or tenancy agreement. Because of this the only evidence we will have during this time is NHS letters and bank statements. Would this be acceptable for the first 2 years of the visa?


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We are looking at staying with his parents for around 2 years to save up a big enough deposit for a house together in the future. We won’t be on any of the utility bills or tenancy agreement. Because of this the only evidence we will have during this time is NHS letters and bank statements. Would this be acceptable for the first 2 years of the visa?


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You need mail from 3 sources over the whole time so you could rely on only 2 things for the first 2 years as long as you were able to produce something from one more source in the last 6 months.
I wouldn't do it that way though, I'd make sure to get the 3 sources under my belt asap. So apply for a National Insurance number, provisional license, write a letter to HMRC enquiring about your tax status just so as to get a reply, something like that. 

We won’t be on any of the utility bills or tenancy agreement.

Not being on the tenancy agreement won't be an issue, but you could always ask if they don't mind putting your names on one of their utility bills.

Because of this the only evidence we will have during this time is NHS letters and bank statements. Would this be acceptable for the first 2 years of the visa?

No, you need at least 3 different sources.

There are a number of different things you can use, and you would just need to make sure you get some of them in your names:
- bank statements
- National Insurance (as larrabee mentioned)
- NHS letters
- HMRC letters
- DVLA letters
- TV licence
- phone bills
- internet bills (i.e. you could maybe get mobile broadband)

And if all else fails, you could always use things like like store card bills/letters, or car/travel/health/dental insurance bills or letters.

Basically, if there's anything at all you can possibly put your name on, then get it .

One more thing!
If we only supply bank statements and NHS letters for the first year and a half, can the next year be the utility bills/water bill/etc. when we are living together? This is the main question that determines how we go about this process!!!


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Thank you guys SO MUCH


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One more thing!
If we only supply bank statements and NHS letters for the first year and a half, can the next year be the utility bills/water bill/etc. when we are living together? This is the main question that determines how we go about this process!!!


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Yep.

You just need 3 sources in total, between all of the letters. So, say they were all in separate names, giving 12 documents in total, you could have maybe 10 bank statements, 1 utility bill and 1 NHS letter

Thank you so much! You’ve been awesome as usual! We’re just trying to save up for a house!


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Thank you so much! You’ve been awesome as usual! We’re just trying to save up for a house!


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That's not an issue at all .

Many people live with family members when they arrive (some of them for the entire 5 years)... the thing is that you still must have those 3 sources of mail in your names, so you just have to find a way to make it happen, however you can.

Not related to the topic, but getting a mortgage is tough while on visas.  Certainly not impossible, just know you’ll need a larger deposit and will pay a higher interest rate than someone in the exact same circumstances not on a visa. You’ll also likely need at least a year remaining on your visa before considered (so if you buy in a year you’ll have 18 months left on your visa, which will be acceptable.  If you buy in two years, you’ll only have 6 months remaining so will likely need to wait to renew until you’ll qualify).

And you’ll need to establish credit.  And employment history.  Being an immigrant is fun!  Haven’t even talked about US taxes yet!