FLR(M) - early May filing

Hello!

I am not filing FLR(M) until early May, but wanted to get a jump start on sorting out what I can now (I’m also fed up with the masses of old mail hordes in my cupboard and would love a clear out!  ) I also just want to check a few things for my understanding to start.

I arrived in the UK on 29 November 2018, so am I correct in assuming I can file from 30 April/1 May?

Would someone also be able to remind me of the correspondence evidence needed and help me to understand the timing/spacing?

I’ve also seen that priority isn’t available for these applications at the moment. What has the typical time frame been?

It sounds like the process has changed dramatically from a few years ago. Are we now able to keep our passports while awaiting the decision? I ask as I am expecting after the application has been filed so am concerned about having my ID documents for registering a baby and also filing for their US passport. If we get to keep now, would be such a relief!

Thank you for any advice and help. Feeling a lot less organised this time around than in 2018!

I arrived in the UK on 29 November 2018, so am I correct in assuming I can file from 30 April/1 May?

You can apply up to 28 days before you reach 30 months in the UK. You'll reach 30 months on 29th May 2021, so you can submit your online application from 1st May onwards (not 30th April).

Would someone also be able to remind me of the correspondence evidence needed and help me to understand the timing/spacing?

You need:
- 6 official documents in each name (either jointly or separately addressed)
- spread evenly over the last 2 years... so that's 1 document in each name spaced every 4 months (if they are separately addressed, you need 1 each for each 4-month period)
- from at least 3 different official sources

So, if you will be applying in early May 2021 you will need 1 document in each name from each of the following months:
April 2019
August 2019
December 2019
April 2020
August 2020
December 2020
April 2021 (this makes 7 documents, but it ensures that the full 2 years are covered)

I’ve also seen that priority isn’t available for these applications at the moment. What has the typical time frame been?

Generally, it seems to have been taking around 3-4 months lately. The most recent approvals we've had in December and January were for people who applied online in August/September and gave biometrics in September/October.

It sounds like the process has changed dramatically from a few years ago. Are we now able to keep our passports while awaiting the decision? I ask as I am expecting after the application has been filed so am concerned about having my ID documents for registering a baby and also filing for their US passport. If we get to keep now, would be such a relief!

Yes, that's correct. Every single document, including your passport(s) and BRP, are now scanned and uploaded to the UKVCAS website before you attend biometrics (or you can pay extra for them to scan the documents for you at the appointment). No documents are mailed anywhere.

So, you get to keep everything, and then when the visa has been processed, they just send you your new BRP card in the mail... and I think you have to mail your old BRP back to them once you have the new one.

Thank you, @ksand24!! I am sure I will come back with more questions, but think this has me sorted at the moment. Now to sort through 2+ years of post!!!

Can anyone elaborate on what constitutes an “official source” for the cohabitation evidence? I assume this includes government or bank documents, but what about letters from GP, private doctors, life insurance, private insurance, travel insurance? Notices from council which are not council tax statements? Pension?

Also, do these need to be strictly UK sources? For instance we still receive statements on a joint US account and have received joint notices from the IRS. Are these acceptable?

Can anyone elaborate on what constitutes an “official source” for the cohabitation evidence? I assume this includes government or bank documents, but what about letters from GP, private doctors, life insurance, private insurance, travel insurance? Notices from council which are not council tax statements? Pension?

Also, do these need to be strictly UK sources? For instance we still receive statements on a joint US account and have received joint notices from the IRS. Are these acceptable?

Everything you've mentioned is acceptable. You only need 3 sources.

Can anyone elaborate on what constitutes an “official source” for the cohabitation evidence? I assume this includes government or bank documents, but what about letters from GP, private doctors, life insurance, private insurance, travel insurance? Notices from council which are not council tax statements? Pension?

Also, do these need to be strictly UK sources? For instance we still receive statements on a joint US account and have received joint notices from the IRS. Are these acceptable?

They don’t have to be U.K. sources - if you get bank statements or other official mail from the US, you can use them.

From the old paper FLR(M) form:

Examples of acceptable items of correspondence
• Letters or other documents from government departments or agencies, for example HM Revenue and Customs, Department for Work and Pensions, DVLA, TV Licensing.
• Letters or other documents from your GP, a hospital or other local health service about medical treatments, appointments, home visits or other medical matters
• Bank statements/letters
• Building society savings books/letters
• Council tax bills or statements
• Electricity and/or gas bills or statements
• Water rates bills or statements
• Mortgage statements/agreement
• Tenancy agreement(s)
• Telephone bills or statements

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Phew! Thanks @larrabee and @ksand24!

Hi again,

Applying a bit later than originally planned for some unexpected personal reasons, but looking to file next week.

A few questions -

It looks like priority is back as an option. Has anyone done this recently and what has your experience been?

Anyone in and around London have any insight as to how quickly you can get a biometrics appointment after submitting an application?

It looks like priority is back as an option. Has anyone done this recently and what has your experience been?

Super Priority is only being offered to a limited number of applications due to Covid, so it may or may not be an option when you apply (if it is, it will be offered at the time of submitting and paying for the visa).

A a couple people have used it recently - one had a Saturday appointment and got the approval on Monday I think(?), and the other had a midweek appointment and got the approval within about 5 hours of the appointment.

Not sure how long it takes to get an appointment in the London area at the moment.


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Hi! I used super priority this month and just got my decision and BRP. I submitted my application on the 6th of June and I had to pay for an appointment but I was able to book my biometrics for the 24th of June. I had my decision 5 hours later and my BRP arrived this morning. My biometrics appointment was in East Croydon.

Thanks @ksand24 @lcminchew all very helpful! Will cross my fingers for super priority to be avl when we file!!

Okay, filed today! In case it’s useful for anyone else, I’m London based and filed Super Priority today. I paid for a premium biometrics appointment, which isn’t until 21st July. Fingers crossed 24 hours means 24 hours from then!

Just a follow up in case timings are useful for someone down the line…

I filed Super Priority for FLR(M) and had my biometrics on Thursday morning in London. Received my approval email on Friday morning, exactly 24 hours later.

A little shocked, but very pleased, that it worked as it should. Good luck to all waiting or about to file!

Just a follow up in case timings are useful for someone down the line…

I filed Super Priority for FLR(M) and had my biometrics on Thursday morning in London. Received my approval email on Friday morning, exactly 24 hours later.

A little shocked, but very pleased, that it worked as it should. Good luck to all waiting or about to file!

Congratulations!!!