FLM-M Dates and Requirements

Thanks so much for all the help this forum has given me, and especially as I maneuvered through the first spousal visa. Now I’m preparing for my second visa (FLR-M) and would be grateful for some assistance with the questions I have:

1.     Best Date to apply for FLM-M: I know can apply for FLR(M) from 28 days before I reach 30 months in the UK, to the expiry of my spousal visa.  I entered on 3 March, 2020, and 30 months from that date is 3 September, 2022.  28 days before 30 months is 6 August, 2022.  My spouse visa expires on 2 December 2022.  I have an application window for FLR(M) from 6 August until 2 December 2022.

Applying for FLR(M) earlier will mean it will be issued earlier and will expire earlier, so my window for applying for ILR would be shorter.

An FLR(M) is generally issued for 30 months. So, applying after 3 September 2022 and before 2 December 2022 would probably be  best, correct?

Also: I understand I can apply for ILR from 28 days before the five-year anniversary of entry on my first visa, regardless of when I get my FLR(M).  I entered on March 3, 2020, so my five-year anniversary is March 3, 2025.  28 days before that is February 3, 2025.  This is the earliest date I can apply for ILR.  The latest date I can apply will be determined by the expiry date of my FLR(M) when I receive it.

So, given all this, when is the best date for me to apply for my FLR-M?

2.  Is this list all that is needed for FLR-M?

•   Meet financial requirement (I plan to use the cash route, which I understand is £62,500 in immediately available funds, held for 6 months before application and with exactly six months statements to prove this.)
•   6 pieces of official or commercial correspondence addressed jointly to both of us (applicant and UK citizen), evenly distributed throughout the time required (2 years before FLR application). Need to be from at least 3 different sources. Examples: electric bill, gas bill, telephone bill, council tax bill, bank statements, letters for NHS, letters from government).  Can also be 12 pieces of such correspondence, individually addressed to the same address. So, if I apply in November 2022, I’d need mail from: (7 pieces instead of 6, but covers whole 2 years?)

November 2020:   
March 2021:         
July 2021:         
November 2021:         
March 2022:         
July 2022:         
October/November 2022:      


•   Proof of accommodation (same as for spousal visa)

•   Proof of marriage (same as for spousal visa)

•   Application completed online

•   Sponsor and applicant’s passports

•   Is any other documentation needed?

Thank you!

2.  Is this list all that is needed for FLR-M?
•   Meet financial requirement (I plan to use the cash route, which I understand is £62,500 in immediately available funds, held for 6 months before application and with exactly six months statements to prove this.)
•   6 pieces of official or commercial correspondence addressed jointly to both of us (applicant and UK citizen), evenly distributed throughout the time required (2 years before FLR application). Need to be from at least 3 different sources. Examples: electric bill, gas bill, telephone bill, council tax bill, bank statements, letters for NHS, letters from government).  Can also be 12 pieces of such correspondence, individually addressed to the same address. So, if I apply in November 2022, I’d need mail from: (7 pieces instead of 6, but covers whole 2 years?)

November 2020:   
March 2021:         
July 2021:         
November 2021:         
March 2022:         
July 2022:         
October/November 2022:      


•   Proof of accommodation (same as for spousal visa)

•   Proof of marriage (same as for spousal visa)

•   Application completed online

•   Sponsor and applicant’s passports

•   Is any other documentation needed?

Thank you!

You are in good shape, this part looks good.   I'm not sure about the dates in section 1 of your question, Larrabee or Ksand are best at that, my window was tight as I did FLR early-ish but it didnt bother me/ doesnt matter as once the application is in your Visa status remains in stasis.
If you take a look at the most recent update on the this post https://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=100139.0 it is for ILR but it will give you a steer as it is comprehensive.

Noting you will need the Consent form that is part of the application.
No English Test if the applicant is American.

As you are clearly on top of this I would recommend getting the Life in the UK test out of the way.  Once done it lasts forever.

Good luck, 

Matt

Thanks so much for all the help this forum has given me, and especially as I maneuvered through the first spousal visa. Now I’m preparing for my second visa (FLR-M) and would be grateful for some assistance with the questions I have:

1.     Best Date to apply for FLM-M: I know can apply for FLR(M) from 28 days before I reach 30 months in the UK, to the expiry of my spousal visa.  I entered on 3 March, 2020, and 30 months from that date is 3 September, 2022.  28 days before 30 months is 6 August, 2022.  My spouse visa expires on 2 December 2022.  I have an application window for FLR(M) from 6 August until 2 December 2022.

Applying for FLR(M) earlier will mean it will be issued earlier and will expire earlier, so my window for applying for ILR would be shorter.

An FLR(M) is generally issued for 30 months. So, applying after 3 September 2022 and before 2 December 2022 would probably be  best, correct?

Also: I understand I can apply for ILR from 28 days before the five-year anniversary of entry on my first visa, regardless of when I get my FLR(M).  I entered on March 3, 2020, so my five-year anniversary is March 3, 2025.  28 days before that is February 3, 2025.  This is the earliest date I can apply for ILR.  The latest date I can apply will be determined by the expiry date of my FLR(M) when I receive it.

So, given all this, when is the best date for me to apply for my FLR-M?

As long as you apply between 6th August and 2nd December 2022, there isn’t really a recommended ‘best date’.

Essentially, the ‘best date’ to apply during that window is whatever date works best for you personally.

The ILR window timing is only really an issue if you apply exactly 28 days before 30 months (so on 6th August) AND you use the Super Priority service for a decision in 24 hours… because the visa will be issued so quickly that it may not give much time for your ILR application.

However, we’re long past 6th August now, so that part won’t be an issue for you.

If you just use the standard service, the decision can take up to 8 weeks, which, even if you applied tomorrow will still give plenty of leeway for ILR.

And even if you use Super Priority when you apply, you should still have a good period of time to apply for ILR in 2025.

We tend to recommend just going with standard service for FLR(M), unless you need the visa urgently, as it’s only an 8-week processing time. You can then save the Super Priority service for ILR, which can take up to 6 months for processing.


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Thank you so much, and especially on this day.

I have a few other questions I could use some help with:

1.   For the cash savings route: can the amount needed be in a couple of different accounts, as long as the combined balances for the whole six months never falls below the minimum?

2.  I'm relieved about the timing: I’m returning to the UK from Spain on November 10th and have to fly to the USA on business at the beginning of February 2023. Will that give me enough time to have the visa processed? (I understand I can’t leave the UK while the visa is being processed, correct?

3.  Can I start the online visa application now, and continue to save it until I submit in November?

Thanks!

Thank you so much, and especially on this day.

I have a few other questions I could use some help with:

1.   For the cash savings route: can the amount needed be in a couple of different accounts, as long as the combined balances for the whole six months never falls below the minimum?

2.  I'm relieved about the timing: I’m returning to the UK from Spain on November 10th and have to fly to the USA on business at the beginning of February 2023. Will that give me enough time to have the visa processed? (I understand I can’t leave the UK while the visa is being processed, correct?

3.  Can I start the online visa application now, and continue to save it until I submit in November?

Thanks!

1.It can be in two different accounts but that's not the way the qualifying amount is calculated. . Rather, take the lowest balance of account A during the 6 month period and add to that the lowest balance of account B. That amount will determine if you qualify.

2- the only way to be sure would be to use priority which becomes available at 1am currently. We're expecting it to be 12midnight when the clocks go back. You can't travel while it's in progress, correct.

3- Yes.

Thank you!

I'm nearly finished with the online application. I am so grateful for the help and encouragement I've receive from you all during all this. I could use your help on a few more questions:

1. The form asks: "How did you enter the UK?" and gives three options, including something like" temporary/bail," then "illegally" and finally "other". I chose "other" and then said this: 
I entered the UK on my USA passport which contained a UK Entry Clearance vignette issued by the UK showing that I had been approved for a spousal visa and would be able to pick up my residence permit.

Is that accorrect response?

2. Related to this:  the form asks "What UK visa, entry clearance or grant of leave do you have?" I wrote "Residence Permit (Spousal Visa )". Is that correct?

3. Later on the form asks similar question: "What type of visa, leave to enter or remain or other permission do you have to be in the UK?" and there are several choices. I chose "Family" Is that correct?

4.  I'm going to use the cash savings route, and we have £72635.00 in a savings account since February (so more than 6 months). I'm a little confused: is that amount enough to meet the requirement?

5.  Related to that: the bank doesn't issue monthly statements, but I have stamped statements from them showing that the balance has never gone below that in this time period. Is that OK?

6. I'm at the point in the application where I have to pay the health charge, and I know I can't change anything after I go to that website to pay.  What happens when I go to that site? Do I pay the heath charge, and then I return to the application site to pay the fees? Can you tell me what steps happen after I go to the heath payment site?

7. Finally (at least for now): because I have to travel in February, I am going to pay the upcharge for this FLR-M. I understand that slots are released at midnight each day. If I've paid the health charge, and no super priority slots are available after that, do I have to continue with the standard processing, or can I stop, save, and come back the next day until I get the super priority?

Thanks so much for all your help.

1. The form asks: "How did you enter the UK?" and gives three options, including something like" temporary/bail," then "illegally" and finally "other". I chose "other" and then said this: 
I entered the UK on my USA passport which contained a UK Entry Clearance vignette issued by the UK showing that I had been approved for a spousal visa and would be able to pick up my residence permit.

Is that accorrect response?

Not sure - seems like an odd question. What exactly do all the options say? My first instinct would be 'temporary', as you had a temporary visa, but the 'bail' part is concerning. Though, Other would probably work fine if you're not sure.

2. Related to this:  the form asks "What UK visa, entry clearance or grant of leave do you have?" I wrote "Residence Permit (Spousal Visa )". Is that correct?

No, you would put something like "Settlement Visa as the spouse of a UK citizen"

3. Later on the form asks similar question: "What type of visa, leave to enter or remain or other permission do you have to be in the UK?" and there are several choices. I chose "Family" Is that correct?

I think so. Both 'settlement' and 'family' could technically apply here, as all family visas are also settlement visas, but most people select Family.

4.  I'm going to use the cash savings route, and we have £72635.00 in a savings account since February (so more than 6 months). I'm a little confused: is that amount enough to meet the requirement?

Yes. The requirement is £62,500.

5.  Related to that: the bank doesn't issue monthly statements, but I have stamped statements from them showing that the balance has never gone below that in this time period. Is that OK?

As long as the statement covers every single day of the 6 months (ideally it should cover 7 months just to make sure), it will be fine.

6. I'm at the point in the application where I have to pay the health charge, and I know I can't change anything after I go to that website to pay.  What happens when I go to that site? Do I pay the heath charge, and then I return to the application site to pay the fees? Can you tell me what steps happen after I go to the heath payment site?

Yes, you go to the IHS site, make the payment, get the payment reference number and return to the application... where you enter the reference number. Then you just continue filling out the application form.

7. Finally (at least for now): because I have to travel in February, I am going to pay the upcharge for this FLR-M. I understand that slots are released at midnight each day. If I've paid the health charge, and no super priority slots are available after that, do I have to continue with the standard processing, or can I stop, save, and come back the next day until I get the super priority?

When you get to the end of the application and go to submit it, if there is no option given for Super Priority processing, you can just save the application, leave the site, and try the next day... and you can keep doing that until Super Priority shows up.

You just have to make sure you don't pay the actual visa fee for standard processing without the super priority... because once you have paid for the visa and finished the submission, there will be no option to add priority later.

So the steps are:
- Fill out the application
- Pay the IHS surcharge when prompted
- Return to the application and finish filling it out
- When you get to the end of the application, press Submit and see if Super Priority is offered
- If not, leave the site and come back the next day and try again
- When Super Priority does show up, select it and pay the visa fee and Super Priority fee together
- Submit the application

Thanks so much. I just checked and the three choices are:

1. I was granted temporary admission or bail at the UK border

2. I entered the UK illegally

3. Other

What do you think?

Makes me wonder:

Am I using the right form: it's the "family" route application

Thanks so much. I just checked and the three choices are:

1. I was granted temporary admission or bail at the UK border

2. I entered the UK illegally

3. Other

What do you think?

I would go for ‘Other’ as you have done already.

I just haven’t seen anyone mention those options being given before… but I can’t see the form myself without creating an account and starting an actual application.

Makes me wonder:

Am I using the right form: it's the "family" route application

Yeah, it should be this one:

https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/product/family-routes?_ga=2.143449974.235278893.1668885507-1497700394.1652392011


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Thanks so much. I just checked and the three choices are:

1. I was granted temporary admission or bail at the UK border

2. I entered the UK illegally

3. Other

What do you think?

Makes me wonder:

Am I using the right form: it's the "family" route application

Those options do seem unfamiliar.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-to-extend-stay-in-the-uk-as-a-partner-or-dependent-child-form-flrm/apply-online-form-flr-m

I would go for ‘Other’ as you have done already.

I just haven’t seen anyone mention those options being given before… but I can’t see the form myself without creating an account and starting an actual application.

Yeah, it should be this one:

https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/product/family-routes?_ga=2.143449974.235278893.1668885507-1497700394.1652392011


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I think that's the wrong link, ksand. That's the family/private life one.

I think that's the wrong link, ksand. That's the family/private life one.

I clicked on it from the same FLR(M) page you posted above:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-to-extend-stay-in-the-uk-as-a-partner-or-dependent-child-form-flrm/apply-online-form-flr-m

If you click on the link to the online form, it takes you to this page, which I linked in my previous post:
https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/product/family-routes?_ga=2.81819861.235278893.1668885507-1497700394.1652392011


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I clicked on it from the same FLR(M) page you posted above:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-to-extend-stay-in-the-uk-as-a-partner-or-dependent-child-form-flrm/apply-online-form-flr-m

If you click on the link to the online form, it takes you to this page, which I linked in my previous post:
https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/product/family-routes?_ga=2.81819861.235278893.1668885507-1497700394.1652392011


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Wow, they couldn't make it more obscure if they tried!

Thanks so much. So it sounds like I'm using the right form. I wish the form were a little clearer! I don't know what I would do without your expertise.