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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be freaking out that my ILR Visa has not come through yet???

82 replies

emmabemmasmom · 21/03/2009 10:51

Hi there...

I sent in my application for my ILR Visa 7 weeks ago. It can take anywhere from 5 weeks to 14 weeks to decide...

They sent me a letter in the beginning of Feb. saying they got my applictaion and basically not to contact them...but to just wait. And, there is no way to look up the progress.

The longer it takes the more I am convinced it will get denied. There is no reason for it to get denied. My husband is British...my DD was born here and I am expecting our second DD in a few weeks. We don't make a lot of money but we don't get any benifits (one thing we have to prove is we can live without claiming).

I cannot sleep, I cry...everytime the mail comes I have a panic attack thinking 'is this the day my life will be ruined'.

It is not healthy but I am freaking out...

Anyone gone through this? How do I continue to wait without having a heart attack?

OP posts:

Original poster

emmabemmasmom · 22/03/2009 09:18

nervousamerican

I did my LLR in Chicago in 2007. My DH came over without a visa as he was only staying a few weeks. We got married about 2 weeks before we applied. We applied, he stayed another week and then went to the UK. I finished up work and followed him 2 weeks later. Your LLR will start from the date you arrive in UK. You will need to purchase your tickets to the UK before you apply as they want to see them.

We made an appointment at the UK Embassy in Chicago. We had to bring a ton of paperwork. Make sure you read and double read everything you need. My DH was there with me which was helpful. We had our appointment in the morning...they took all the paperwork and told us to come back at 3pm. We went for lunch and had a walk around and then came back just to pick up my passport and paperwork. We were home by 5pm. They will tell you after your interview if you are not going to get it.

It was very stressful, but in the end was a lot easier then they made it out to be. The only problems that we had was:

Savings. I had about $3,000 at the time (as we just paid for our wedding!) and the UK officer said it was not enough...even though my DH worked and I planned on getting a job when I came over. So make sure you have a good savings or income to show you can move without needing benifits.

Proof of Housing...my DH did not bring his mortgage papers so we had a problem with that. Even though we had a letter showing the address and everything else, they wanted to see the actual mortgage papers. However, I just cried and he said it was ok and gave me the LLR anyway lol

It should not be to difficult for you. Since you have been together living in the UK for sometime and have shown you have met and whatnot, you should not have a problem. They did not even look at most of the paperwork...only really concerned with money and housing...

Hope it goes well for you!

OP posts:

immigrationofficer · 22/03/2009 10:26

I use to visa work at various British embassies abroad - I would advise anyone who's confused to check out UKVisas website (just type UKVisas into your search engine). You can download all the applications forms, list of requirements etc..

It's been a while since I did that so please don't ask me anything specific as the legislation changes all the time but you basically have to show that:

Your marriage/civil partnership is legal (you have to show divorce papers if you are divorced also)

You are in a genuine marriage (might be an idea to take in photos/letters/a letter from your spouse/partner detailing how you met etc/emails - indeed anything you can think of that shows you are in a genuine relationship

That you will be supported in the UK without recourse to additional public funds. (I often used to refuse visa applications if the sponsors were on the dole but not always for example, if the UK sponsor was a single mother on Income Support and had married someone abroad and she could show that the partner had a job offer in the UK or was in a position to look for work, the I would consider issuing the visa) But it helps greatly if the sponsor has a job and somewhere to live -doesnt matter if renting or mortgage.

To NervousAmerican, I would be really careful if i were you as it sounds like you are basically living in the UK on visit visa stamps which you are not really supposed to do: you run a risk of being refused leave to enter at the airport and being returned to the US. I personally don't see Americans as an 'immigration problem' but some Immigration Officers (particularly the younger ones ) can be very zealous.

Triggles · 22/03/2009 11:14

I'm a bit anal about paperwork. When I turned in mine, I had everything outlined, and divided up in a divider in order, with a list of what was included in the front of each section. I sent probably more than was needed, but I wanted to make sure if they excluded one or two things, there were still others available. I also kept photocopies of EVERYTHING I sent, just in case it got lost.

The best thing to do is to (as someone else mentioned) go to a few American Expatriot sites and look through their forums and message boards. One in particular that I go to has a couple people who are actually immigration lawyers in the UK who offer advice on a regular basis on the site. You can find that site by searching for UKYankee. For most situations, there's no point spending money on an immigration lawyer if you take time to do a bit of research and plan ahead.

It's a lot less horrific than it sounds though, once you've waded through some of it. Good luck.

Original poster

emmabemmasmom · 23/03/2009 10:52

I was the same with my paperwork.

I went through and highlighted every name, address and date. I also added little notes to every piece of paperwork and put it all in date order lol I colour coded with paperclips and folders too...god I sound sad!

Even with all that I ended up writing a 3 page letter to support my application lol

Well it is Monday so the post will come and so will the panic attacks...so nice to have a break on a Sunday when no post comes lol

OP posts:

pranma · 23/03/2009 11:41

Just a quick question [sorry if its threadjacking]if a UK citizen is married to a foreign national[Turkish] and lives in Turkey for 15 years,has a child,then offered good job in UK how hard would it be for wife to get ILR?

Original poster

emmabemmasmom · 23/03/2009 12:02

In order to get an ILR you have to live in the UK for a certian number of years. Usually this is 2 years but you will need to get a LLR Visa first. This is usually a 2 year Visa and at the end of that period you can then apply for your ILR Visa which would allow you to stay in the UK for as long as you wish.

I am 99% sure of that information, but I would look at UKvisas website to see if there are different rules for your situation as I only know the rules for a US citizen.

Hope that helps!

OP posts:

maybebabymaybebaby · 23/03/2009 15:36

Hi immigrationofficer

I am trying to CAT you but cant seem to send you a message as name doesnt exist. I need some advice please and dont really want to put it on Mumsnet.

Thanks

immigrationofficer · 24/03/2009 00:44

To Pranma, if the British person has been married to the Turkish person for 15 years or so, the foreign spouse can apply for ILR at the British embassy in Istanbul - they don't have to obtain the 2 year probationary spouse visa beforehand as the marriage is already established etc...

To maybebabymaybebaby, you can't CAT me as I dont have the facility, also immigrationofficer is not my usual talkname - I changed it for this thread only as it would be possible to identify me in RL. I could try and advise if you give me some more info....

(sorry about that)

maybebabymaybebaby · 24/03/2009 12:48

I am afraid of putting my details on here just incase someone knows. Is it possible for you to email me on [email protected] please. I can understand if its not possible it sjust that I am at my witsend.

Thanks

Original poster

emmabemmasmom · 25/03/2009 10:35

GOT SOME NEWS!!!!

My Visa came in today!!!! Yeah!!!!

I can now live here forever lol

Sorry just had to share with someone!!! Can't contain myself lol

Wheyhey drinks all around!

OP posts:

sarah76 · 26/03/2009 10:42

Excellent news! Now just start studying for your life in the UK test next year, and then you can vote as well!

If you do go the citizenship route, would suggest actually learning the words to 'God Save the Queen' so you don't accidentally start singing 'My Country Tis of Thee' at your citizenship ceremony....

Original poster

emmabemmasmom · 26/03/2009 12:32

I actually had to take my Life in the UK test already to get my ILR Visa. So I have my pass letter from that already...

lol Should start learning the words now then as I don't even think DH knows them and he is British lol

OP posts:

Immigration2 · 26/03/2009 12:38

Although I was Nationality not Immigration as such, but it was my best friend who wrote the citizenship questions....

immigrationofficer · 26/03/2009 15:13

(returns secret handshake thing to Immigration2)

Congrats Emma, see, we told you you were worrying over nothing....

Maybebaby, i emailed you the other day but that was a new email account and I have forgotten the blardy password ... will email you again from my old account... Will do it now!

sarah76 · 26/03/2009 17:15

gosh it all changes so quickly....when I did my ILR you only needed to be here a year (as a spouse) and there was no test for anything!

GothAnneGeddes · 27/03/2009 15:10

Congratulations Emma! My Dh's came today so we're thrilled.

Original poster

emmabemmasmom · 27/03/2009 16:11

Oh Congrats to you too!!!

Nobody really understood why I was so exicted when it came...everyone looked at me like I was crazy and I think I scared our postman!

Hope you do something nice to celebrate!!

OP posts:

golden123 · 25/04/2009 19:13

HI we applied for ILR in feb 2009, and received letter on 24 feb 2009 saying it has been received and will be processed. How long do you think it will take as a guideline.
I realise that everybodys application are different, but am confused as reading differents time scales.
Thank you..

GothAnneGeddes · 26/04/2009 02:46

I think about 4-8 weeks roughly. Hope you get it

expatinscotland · 26/04/2009 07:13

Man, am I ever glad I naturalised before they made it so hard (and expensive)! Best of luck to all who are waiting and congratulations to those who got theirs.

'But seriously, you are American and you want to live in the UK??? If I married an American, I would be off to the US to live like a shot....'

If I had a pound for everytime I get this, I'd be rich.

Minimum 40 hour workweeks (10-20 hours more/week fairly standard), working a year or more until you get any paid holiday at all and then it's a fortnight they won't let you take all at once, healthcare tied to your job (and again having to work sometimes up to a year to even get onto your employer's plan, if they offer one at all, meaning you have to pay insurance from somewhere in the meantime) . . .

I could go on and on.

expatinscotland · 26/04/2009 07:13

Man, am I ever glad I naturalised before they made it so hard (and expensive)! Best of luck to all who are waiting and congratulations to those who got theirs.

'But seriously, you are American and you want to live in the UK??? If I married an American, I would be off to the US to live like a shot....'

If I had a pound for everytime I get this, I'd be rich.

I could go on and on.

golden123 · 12/06/2009 14:06

hi all, just to let u know that my husband got his Indefinite Leave To REmain, thank god,,,it was stressing waiting all that time..
Thank you to everybody that helped me, and goodluck to those who are still waiting, it will come thru, just have to be a bit patient..thanx all...and yes im still in shock,

ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight · 12/06/2009 17:38

Hi, I know this is an old thread but can I ask any advice of anyone who's on here? My DH is applying for his ILR next month. He's not working as such (but should be able to get a few days work , maybe 2 a week between now and then) and I'm on mat leave going back end july, so I'm the breadwinner. We have a DS and all the documents in order but there are two problems -
1- we have nothing in our joint names before jan 08 as he didn't actually move here until oct 07 (although got LLR in july). We have to 'prove' we were in contact from july to oct. I have a stamp in my passport from when I flew to see him but nothing else. We used MSN rather than email and my computer combusted taking the saved convos with it. What can I do?
2 - I'm claiming housing benefit, on the strength of me being british and on mat leave - if I have a letter saying I'm going back on X date on X money will that be sufficient? He's not claiming anything in his name obviously.
Oh and 3- I was going to submit a letter from tax credits as it has both our names on it. Is that a bad idea?

Original poster

emmabemmasmom · 13/06/2009 08:44

Hi Kat
ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ukresidency/settlement/

Take a look at the website above as it is filled with info.

As I understand you have to apply from when they entered the country, not when the Visa was issued. So since he did not enter until October he would need to apply for an extension and then apply for him ILR in September. Also, he will have to take the Life in The UK Test, which has a long waiting time so you may want to book the test sooner rather than later (info on the site too). He has to actually be in the UK for 2 years before he can apply, not have a Visa for 2 years if that makes sense?

If that is the case then you only have to prove that you have been 'together' since he lived here in October which you should be able to do.

The only thing they are concerned about is if you can support yourself with out benefits so the fact that you are working even if on mat leave then you will be fine. It helps as well to have a good amount of savings to show that worst case you will be fine. However, not everyone can do this.

I sent in my tax credit info as it was also one of the only things with both of our names on it. I think it is a good idea since when you apply for tax credits as a couple you have to send in marriage cert and everything so they have already done checks iykwim.

When I applied for my ILR I sent in every stupid little thing I could find. Wayyy more than the amount they said to send. I sent in stuff with just my name and highlighted dates and added notes to everything.

Hope this helps, but make sure to look at that website and you can call them too for advise as I am nearly 100% that he cannot apply yet and if you do apply now they will refuse it and not issues your money back so make sure to check!

OP posts:

ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight · 13/06/2009 12:27

Thanks! He first came to the country in july thankfully (otherwise it would be £465 to extend the LLR if he had left it more than 30 days after the visa date - we didn't know that at the time!) So he needs to apply between 28/6 and 12/7. He's booked on the life in uk test and diligently revising
The problem is that he came in july, left in august and came back in october, so I ddn't change anything to his name until he came.

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