1. The Life in UK Test - can this be taken at any point from now and still be valid when we apply?
Yes, as the pass certificate never expires. She could have taken it at any time in the last 5 years if she'd wanted to.
2. We have a family wedding to attend in the USA on 26th October 2024, does this mean we have to opt for the priority service to get a decision within a week to speed things up? I believe we won't be able to travel if the decision is still being processed/pending?
The £800 Super Priority service will give a decision within 24 hours/end of next working day, and then it can take up to 10 days for the new BRP card to arrive in the post... so yes, if you want the visa before your trip in October, you'll need to use Super Priority.
Having said that, she can apply for ILR up to 28 days before she reaches 5 years on FLR(M). I see from your previous posts that her first FLR(M) was granted on 31st July 2019... which means she is eligible to apply for ILR 28 days before 31st July 2024.
Therefore, she can apply on any date between 3rd July and 4th September 2024.
3. Cost - is it £2,885? Seems to be the figure that appears the most but have seen lesser amounts, perhaps on older sites.
Yes, the current fee is £2,885. Plus, you will need to pay £800 for the Super Priority service, and £19.20 for the biometrics fee.
So, that comes to £3,704.20 in total (all paid at the same time when you apply online).
4. Since our last application, we've had a child born in the UK. Does that change anything or open up any other options?
It doesn't change anything as your child is a UK citizen, however, you will need to provide the following documents:
- your child's birth certificate
- your child's UK passport (if they have one)
- a letter dated in the last 3 months before applying confirming the child's address (i.e. letter from GP/hospital/school etc.)
5. Pieces of correspondance - we have joint montly bank statements every momth we stash away, so what else and how much should we be looking to obtain in the next few months?
You need documents dated every 5 months covering the 2.5 years prior to your application date. They must be from at least 3 different official sources.
Bank statements count as 1 source (even if from different banks), so you will also need 2 other sources, such as utility bills, council tax bills, phone/TV/internet bills, tenancy agreements, mortgage statements, letters from the NHS/DVLA/HMRC/DWP etc.
6. Once obtained, is there a limit on how long she can spend out of the UK in any given period on an ILR(M)?
ILR is indefinite, but it only remains valid if she continues to live permanently in the UK... if she were to live outside the UK for more than 2 years, her ILR would become invalid... and in order to move back to the UK again, she would need to start over from scratch with the 5 years of visas.
The best way to avoid this from happening is for her to apply for UK citizenship once she has received her ILR. That way she will be free to come and go from the UK as she pleases for the rest of her life, without having to worry about not being able to return to live in the UK in the future.
