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Topic: ILR(M) Timing  (Read 326 times)

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ILR(M) Timing
« on: January 13, 2021, 09:24:32 AM »
Hi all!

It's been a while, but thanks to this board, I am very nearly at the ILR(M) mark which wouldn't have been the case without the lovely and sound advice from you guys.

I am a little bit confused about the timing of my application as it doesn't seem quite in line with FLR(M) which was simply a month before the visa expired.

My current visa has an expiration of July 2021. However, I came to the UK on a Fiancée visa in February 2016, but then got my spouse visa in late April. I assumed the 5 years would in April, however that seems early if my visa ends in July?

Edited to add: I totally forgot about the Life in the UK Test too! How early is too early to book this, and has anyone bought any of their recommended study guides? - there seems to be so many to choose from!

Just want to make sure I don't apply too early and get turned down! :) Thanks again, all! I absolutely cannot wait to get this over and done with for good!
« Last Edit: January 13, 2021, 09:38:58 AM by BriKH »


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Re: ILR(M) Timing
« Reply #1 on: January 13, 2021, 09:46:39 AM »
I'll wait for some of the other pros to weigh in regarding timing, but go ahead and book the test ASAP. I used the 2019 TSO guides (practice questions and answers and 3rd edition - you are welcome to them if you can pick them up in North London) as well as the apps for mock tests.
Met online: 12 Feb 1997
Met in person: 8 July 1997
Married in the US: 10 Aug 1999
Submitted online Spousal Visa application: 26 March 2015
Visa received: 22 April 2015
Left US on 7 July 2015; arrived in the UK: 8 July 2015
FLR(M) application approved: 13 Jan 2018
BRP received: 17 Jan 2018
ILR(M) application submitted online: 11 June 2020
ILR(M) approved: 12 Nov 2020
BRP received: 17 Nov 2020
Naturalisation submitted (Nov 21); confirmed (Nov 23)
Biometrics: 21 Dec 2020
UK Citizenship email: 29 March 2021
Citizenship ceremony: 14 June 2021


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Re: ILR(M) Timing
« Reply #2 on: January 13, 2021, 09:57:51 AM »
I'll wait for some of the other pros to weigh in regarding timing, but go ahead and book the test ASAP. I used the 2019 TSO guides (practice questions and answers and 3rd edition - you are welcome to them if you can pick them up in North London) as well as the apps for mock tests.

That's very kind of you, thank you! But I am all the way up in sunny Manchester  :) Appreciate it nonetheless.

Thanks for the test advice. I will need to study a bit first as I think some of the questions may be a bit obscure and things I wouldn't know even after being here for 11 years total!


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Re: ILR(M) Timing
« Reply #3 on: January 13, 2021, 10:21:13 AM »
There are lots of questions someone born here would not know!  ;D

You can apply from 28 days before the 5 year anniversary of the start of your first FLR(M) using online form SET(M).


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Re: ILR(M) Timing
« Reply #4 on: January 13, 2021, 10:31:03 AM »
There are lots of questions someone born here would not know!  ;D
This is VERY true. I gave mock tests to my British born husband, family members, and friends. None of them would have passed the test. There are some VERY obscure questions on there (I distinctly remember one about the difference in the number of jurors in different parts of the UK). It's like high school calculus for me. Once I learned it and memorised it for the test, I never needed it again.
Met online: 12 Feb 1997
Met in person: 8 July 1997
Married in the US: 10 Aug 1999
Submitted online Spousal Visa application: 26 March 2015
Visa received: 22 April 2015
Left US on 7 July 2015; arrived in the UK: 8 July 2015
FLR(M) application approved: 13 Jan 2018
BRP received: 17 Jan 2018
ILR(M) application submitted online: 11 June 2020
ILR(M) approved: 12 Nov 2020
BRP received: 17 Nov 2020
Naturalisation submitted (Nov 21); confirmed (Nov 23)
Biometrics: 21 Dec 2020
UK Citizenship email: 29 March 2021
Citizenship ceremony: 14 June 2021


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Re: ILR(M) Timing
« Reply #5 on: January 13, 2021, 10:57:23 AM »
There are lots of questions someone born here would not know!  ;D

You can apply from 28 days before the 5 year anniversary of the start of your first FLR(M) using online form SET(M).

Oh wow, so that would actually be March 31st - a lot sooner than I expected! So I assume I technically have from that date until July 10th (I will NOT be waiting last minute - I want this done with ASAP but just checking that I have a little wiggle room to get my act (and test and paperwork) together, especially in these crazy times.


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Re: ILR(M) Timing
« Reply #6 on: January 13, 2021, 11:10:39 AM »
Oh wow, so that would actually be March 31st - a lot sooner than I expected! So I assume I technically have from that date until July 10th (I will NOT be waiting last minute - I want this done with ASAP but just checking that I have a little wiggle room to get my act (and test and paperwork) together, especially in these crazy times.

Yes, you can apply any time up until the BRP expires. Take your time, read the book and do the practice tests online until you are consistently passing.


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Re: ILR(M) Timing
« Reply #7 on: January 13, 2021, 11:13:13 AM »
Yes, you can apply any time up until the BRP expires. Take your time, read the book and do the practice tests online until you are consistently passing.

Thank you for your help and advice  :) I will do just that!


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Re: ILR(M) Timing
« Reply #8 on: January 13, 2021, 11:14:03 AM »
This is VERY true. I gave mock tests to my British born husband, family members, and friends. None of them would have passed the test. There are some VERY obscure questions on there (I distinctly remember one about the difference in the number of jurors in different parts of the UK). It's like high school calculus for me. Once I learned it and memorised it for the test, I never needed it again.

Yes, and the number of members of each of the parliaments ... and ALL THOSE DATES! My husband studied for at least 3 months, every night. I was very proud of him.  :)


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Re: ILR(M) Timing
« Reply #9 on: January 13, 2021, 12:01:49 PM »
Yes, and the number of members of each of the parliaments ... and ALL THOSE DATES! My husband studied for at least 3 months, every night. I was very proud of him.  :)
Exactly! But whenever my husband makes fun of my very American accent and tells me I'll never be British (in jest), I tell him that I passed the Life in the UK test, which is more than I can say for him. So in MY mind, I'm more legitimately British than he is <teasing>.
Met online: 12 Feb 1997
Met in person: 8 July 1997
Married in the US: 10 Aug 1999
Submitted online Spousal Visa application: 26 March 2015
Visa received: 22 April 2015
Left US on 7 July 2015; arrived in the UK: 8 July 2015
FLR(M) application approved: 13 Jan 2018
BRP received: 17 Jan 2018
ILR(M) application submitted online: 11 June 2020
ILR(M) approved: 12 Nov 2020
BRP received: 17 Nov 2020
Naturalisation submitted (Nov 21); confirmed (Nov 23)
Biometrics: 21 Dec 2020
UK Citizenship email: 29 March 2021
Citizenship ceremony: 14 June 2021


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  • Posts: 17751

  • Liked: 6110
  • Joined: Sep 2010
Re: ILR(M) Timing
« Reply #10 on: January 13, 2021, 12:08:13 PM »
Exactly! But whenever my husband makes fun of my very American accent and tells me I'll never be British (in jest), I tell him that I passed the Life in the UK test, which is more than I can say for him. So in MY mind, I'm more legitimately British than he is <teasing>.

You worked hard for your Citizenship!  :)


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