Concerning the Chicago Office, Fiancee Visas, etc.

except that 3. should read "FLR," not "spouse visa."  

I thought they were the same thing ?

Wow.  Three cheers for you, Marlepo!  

That actually made a lot of sense and it looks like the info you got was darned near accurate.  Hope you got that person's name!  

FLR is not a spousal visa.  It is the stamp/visa that allows you to stay in the country for one year after marriage and you get this only if you have gotten a Fiancee visa first.

Spousal visa is what you get in the US if you are married there, and only if you went around the Fiancee visa process.

Easy way to keep these straight is to remember that the Fiancee Visa is applied for in the US, as is the Spousal Visa.

Anything that can be abbreviated (FLR and ILR) are applied for here in the UK.

FLR says you can stay beyond that initial six months on your fiancee visa.

ILR says you are legitimately married and can stay in the UK as long as you wish.

except that 3. should read "FLR," not "spouse visa."  I thought they were the same thing ?

I think Peedal and Wish are right on this one.  They should just stamp your visa or something, whatever it is they do that gives you further leave to remain for another year.

Spousal visa is what you get in the US if you are married there, and only if you went around the Fiancee visa process.

Easy way to keep these straight is to remember that the Fiancee Visa is applied for in the US, as is the Spousal Visa.
.

Although I think usually this is the case, it isn't necessarily always so on the spousal.  Wench is a perfect example of this.  she came here as a visitor and ended up getting married and thus had to apply for a spouse visa here in the UK.  

Thanks wish, peedal & elle - - - makes sense now.
Really!

I was reading through some old threads and happened to come across this one. (A blast from Marlespo's past ) I didn't know the spouse visa and the FLR weren't the same thing! What happens after your year is up with the FLR? I know you apply for the ILR but how long is that for and is that when you recieve your citizenship?

The spousal visa/FLR/LLR are all the same thing. FLR/LLR is no longer 1 year, it's 2 years now. That was changed in April 2003 (someone correct me if I'm wrong).  The ILR is indefinite leave to remain, there is no time limit.  You don't get citizenship when you get your ILR.

The spousal visa/FLR/LLR are all the same thing. FLR/LLR is no longer 1 year, it's 2 years now. That was changed in April 2003 (someone correct me if I'm wrong).  The ILR is indefinite leave to remain, there is no time limit.  You don't get citizenship when you get your ILR.

Actually, Tanis, they aren't *exactly* the same things, as we went through at length in this thread before. 

The spousal visa is what you get when you get married without a visa at all (usually in the US) and then want to move over with your spouse.  It must be obtained in the US.

The FLR/ILR are the visas you get when you transfer your fiance visa to one based on marriage and are obtained here in the UK. 

The Further Leave to Remain (FLR) now lasts 2 years, and I think you're right that that changed in 2003.  Once your two years is up, you apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).  The ILR is good forever, as long as you aren't gone from the country for more than a year or so at a time. 

If you want to apply for citizenship, you have to have your ILR based on marriage (and therefore free from immigration control) for one full year before you can apply.  Hope that helps, Kat! 

If you want to apply for citizenship, you have to have your ILR based on marriage (and therefore free from immigration control) for one full year before you can apply.  Hope that helps, Kat! 

 Yes that helps alot Wishstar thanks, but I have a few more questions.

1. After I've had my ILR for 1 year and I'm married I can apply for citizenship right? Is that what you're saying?
2. If I want to be a full British citizen do I have to renounce my American citizenship or is that pretty much automatic after the ceremony, and if it's not..
3. Do dual citizens get the ceremony too?
4. For the FLR what all do you have to take with you to Croyden?

Thanks for clearing that up, Wishstar.

I thought that I read that if you going for citizenship based on marriage, you can do it after only holding ILR for a day as long as you meet the 3 year residency requirement. Else if you're going for citizenship based on anything else, then you need to have been on ILR for a full year. But then again, what do I know? I'm still waiting to get to the point where I can apply for my fiance visa.

 Yes that helps alot Wishstar thanks, but I have a few more questions.

1. After I've had my ILR for 1 year and I'm married I can apply for citizenship right? Is that what you're saying?

Yes that's right.  It's one year after your ILR, or three years after you arrive as long as you're married to a British citizen.

2. If I want to be a full British citizen do I have to renounce my American citizenship or is that pretty much automatic after the ceremony, and if it's not..

Nope, there's absolutely no need to renounce anything.  You can hold dual citizenship without any problem at all.

3. Do dual citizens get the ceremony too?

Yes, the ceremony is for everyone seeking British citizenship and is mandatory.

4. For the FLR what all do you have to take with you to Croyden?

The FLR is as simple as it can be.  Just take your passports, your marriage certificate and the form they require.  It's by far the easiest!

Thanks for clearing that up, Wishstar.

I thought that I read that if you going for citizenship based on marriage, you can do it after only holding ILR for a day as long as you meet the 3 year residency requirement. Else if you're going for citizenship based on anything else, then you need to have been on ILR for a full year.

Hmmm....I don't think that's the case.  I did my citizenship application this year and I recall clearly that it said you had to be free from immigration control for one year.  But I'm not an expert on this or anything, and the rules seem to change quickly sometimes so you may be right.  My advice is to check out the home office website and read the application form.  It was very straightforward and clear on this, if I recall correctly.

I recall clearly that it said you had to be free from immigration control for one year. 

That rule is for non-spouses.  And people on ILR are still under immigration control.  Everyone who is not a citizen or EU national is under immigration control.

Spouses need only to be free from time limited control on the day they apply, it can be day 1 if they meet the other requirements.  Those other requirements include a 3 year residence. 

If "MarsBar's" thread on her naturalization is still extant, it makes valuable reading for those having any doubts about it...

Garry's right - if you're applying for citizenship through marriage, you simply have to have ILR - it doesn't matter how long you've had it.

I will have had ILR for about 6 months when I apply.   

Congrats Peedal! I bet you're getting pretty excited. Have you been studying for the citizenship exam? I have a question. Do they inform you by post when your FLR is about to expire or are you supposed to guess when it's about up? Do they give you the date of expiration in your passport? 

Do they inform you by post when your FLR is about to expire or are you supposed to guess when it's about up? Do they give you the date of expiration in your passport? 

You can apply for your ILR up to four weeks before your FLR expires.  They don't send you a letter -- you'll just need to look at the entry stamp on your visa to see when to apply.

For example, I entered the UK on 7 October 2003.  I'll apply for my ILR around 7 September 2005.  Only seven more months!