Hello,
It is about that time again. Covid has threw me for a loop and I am so behind on what I need and how to apply. I know that the documents needed are pretty much the same, but how are we sending those documents now as far as proof that we lived together, banks statements corresponding letters and things of that sort. Also I am diabetic and my husband and I do not have a vehicle so I would have needed to get on a train to take my life in the UK test and the earliest appointment available is in August after my visa is due. So will my application be denied because of this? I am just so lost right now. Can anyone help with this. Thank you so much.
The Life in the UK test is an absolute requirement for ILR - it cannot be granted without you passing it. Normally, if you cannot take it before your visa expires, you will be granted FLR(M) instead of ILR, and then you will have to apply for ILR once you have taken the test. However, I'm not sure if this is still the case right now, because the test centres have been closed due to Covid and no one has been able to take the test recently, so there may be some leniency.
What you definitely need to do is submit your online application by July 31st at the very latest.
At the moment, you can't even book a biometrics appointment yet, because the biometrics centres were closed in March and although they are opening up again, they are offering appointments to those who applied in March first, then April, then May, then June, then July. I believe they are still working their way through the May applications (maybe June by now)... which means it could be several weeks before you are able to book your biometrics appointment anyway.
So, my advice would be:
- book the earliest Life in the UK test you can (it looks like they normally offer short-notice appointments, though I don't know if these services are currently available due to Covid):
https://www.lituktestbooking.co.uk/lituk-web/addValOptions)
- apply online for ILR before July 31st
- take the Life in the UK test ASAP and upload the reference number with your documents
- make sure you book your biometrics for a date after you have taken and passed the test so that you will have passed it before they start processing your application
