Hi there

This is what I did for my husband and his arrival in the UK, just to give a heads up of what you may need to do next

My hubby arrived in the UK on Saturday 13th February

08/02/2016 Council Tax- I informed them as soon as I booked his flight (8th Feb) and advised what date he would be moving to the UK
15/02/2016- Went to the post office to collect BRP (Biometrics residents permit)
15/02/2016- Called Electricity, Southern Water and Portsmouth water and also called National Insurance line made application
16/02/2016- SSE (Electricity issued a bill) this was a PDF online bill I used as proof of address
17/02/2016- Opened NatWest Bank account and registered with GP
18/02/2016- I did my husband a CV and we went to the agencies and registered for work.
18/02/2016- Appointment with Lloyds Bank to open a Joint Savings account.

22/02/2016- FPR recruitment asked hubby to come in for a health and safety test PASSED
23/02/2016- Hubby started his first job in the UK in a bakery, and is still there smiley (and did SIA security training, now awaiting the licence)
24/02/2016- Applied online for a provisional Licence
02/03/2016- D/L application arrived pre filled, signed returned with BRP card
15/03/2016- BRP returned from DVLA ( I knew a licence is issued as the ref is a DL number smiley
16/03/2016- Provisional Arrived smiley

So in a nutshell:
-Council tax
-Collect BRP
-National Insurance
-Electric company
-Gas company ( if you have)
-Water company (both fresh and waste)

Then once you have a letter from one of the utilities or council tax:
-Bank Account
-GP
-Dentist (my husband hasn't yet registered with one )


useful information:
NI number:
https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number call 0345 600 0643 Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (make sure you state he has been offered a job but requires a NI number) they will ask why you need one although obvious, however you can actually work for up to 12 weeks without an NI number smiley this is issued now by the jobcentre Plus not DWP

You need to get proof of address before you can open a bank account or register with a GP, so make sure those are the first things, check your billing dates for utilities as you could time it to get a bill the following day, as i called the day before my bill was due to be generated (luckily)


Driving Licence ( international licence can be used for 12 months from entering UK)
https://www.gov.uk/apply-first-provisional-driving-licence


And make sure you file any letters for Joint or single names for your next stage FLR as you need to provide proof of cohabitation

I hope this helps

This is a good idea as my wife will be applying by 2018 but is better to get things ready from the starting. Thank you for taken your time to set-up this topic. God will bless you.

Benuromi:
This is a good idea as my wife will be applying by 2018 but is better to get things ready from the starting. Thank you for taken your time to set-up this topic. God will bless you.

I thought we needed it, as so many are getting granted now, and likely wonder whats next

My Husband is also due to apply in 2018, though that will fly by

very helpful...thanks

morning all,

can applications for store cards be used as proof of address in FLR applications??

thanks

Hello Portsmouth86 and all,

Please I have a few questions as I'm due for FLR in 2017:

1. Must my spouse and I have utility bills in both our names as all utility bills are in my spouses name?

2. My passport will expire about 5 months after the current spouse visa expires, do I need to get a new passport before applying for FLR?

3. Do I need to sit for an English Test again for the FLR application?

Thank you very much and I look forward to your response(s).

@dammylizzy, @lashani01

Part of the requirement for the next stage is 'evidence of cohabitation', i.e. that you've been living together.

You need to start preparing for FLR(M) as soon as your spouse or civil partner arrives in the UK... either immediately (if they arrive on a spouse/civil partner visa) or as soon as the first FLR(M) is granted (if they arrive on a 6 month fiancé visa which is then switched to FLR(M), or another working/student/youth mobility visa which they then switch to FLR(M) ).
You will also need to provide evidence of cohabitation for ILR. So start getting in the habit of saving paperwork! (Official paperwork - not junk mail!).

You will need to start collecting letters/bills etc. in joint names, from OFFICIAL sources. You need, at a minimum, to collect SIX items of mail in joint names from THREE separate sources spread out over the whole period. This will be included in your bundle when the next renewal is due (or with the ILR application, if you are lucky enough to be further ahead in the process).
If you don't have items in joint names, don't panic yet! They will accept items addressed separately as long as they sent to the same address, throughout the period. However, for separate names you'll need to submit two for every one item you haven't been able to collect (so potentially up to twelve items in separate names).

If you can, it may well be wise to collect -more- than the bare minimum what is actually required on paper. Just as an assurance, in case for any reason any of your other documentation is rejected!

Examples of items in joint names that people have used for successful submission in the past include :

Bank statements
Statements from second, separate bank account (e.g. separate Lloyds and Barclays, or HSBC and RBS accounts)
Council tax bills
Gas bills
Electricity bills
Phone (landline and mobile) bills
TV licences
Insurance policies
Joint membership of groups like the National Trust
Tenancy agreements
Health insurance
NI letters (probably for an individual, but has been used in instances where not enough joint letters were possible)
GP letters, or letters from a hospital or local health centre
DVLA letters
Letters from HMRC
Letters from Dept. for Work and Pensions
Sky TV account
Etc. etc. etc.
Probably some of these are easier to get in joint names than others, but it's just to give an idea of what has been submitted in the past.

dammylizzy:
Hello Portsmouth86 and all,

Please I have a few questions as I'm due for FLR in 2017:

1. Must my spouse and I have utility bills in both our names as all utility bills are in my spouses name?

2. My passport will expire about 5 months after the current spouse visa expires, do I need to get a new passport before applying for FLR?

3. Do I need to sit for an English Test again for the FLR application?

Thank you very much and I look forward to your response(s).

1. Please see the post I added you in.
2. You will need a valid passport so yes, you will need to replace it.
3. yes, and from October 2016 the FLR English exam is changing to A2.

lashani01:
morning all,

can applications for store cards be used as proof of address in FLR applications??

thanks

You say store cards, it depends if you mean financial or points.

Proof of address, or proof of cohabitation?

Portsmouth86:


1. Please see the post I added you in.
2. You will need a valid passport so yes, you will need to replace it.
3. yes, and from October 2016 the FLR English exam is changing to A2.

Thank you so much @Portsmouth86!

I can't believe they have to write another English exam again for visa extension. What is wrong with this country and you still need to pay about £811 ( if I am correct). Is very painful. They milk us from starting to the end except if you have EU passport, u are save. This really get me upset.
We will get there. My wife will be one year in the UK by 14th of August 2015. How time fly? Have 6+ old baby, pass her driving theory test ( doing practical now), my wife work on my days off ( as I work 5 on, 5 off in Heathrow airport) while I babysit and thanks to my 3 sisters, they've very helpful.
The God that helped us will continue to help new applicants. Thanks to Portsmouth86 once again.

Benuromi:
I can't believe they have to write another English exam again for visa extension. What is wrong with this country and you still need to pay about £811 ( if I am correct). Is very painful. They milk us from starting to the end except if you have EU passport, u are save. This really get me upset.
We will get there. My wife will be one year in the UK by 14th of August 2015. How time fly? Have 6+ old baby, pass her driving theory test ( doing practical now), my wife work on my days off ( as I work 5 on, 5 off in Heathrow airport) while I babysit and thanks to my 3 sisters, they've very helpful.
The God that helped us will continue to help new applicants. Thank you to Portsmouth86 once again.

Firstly congratulations on the safe arrival of your blessing

This pretty much echos our own case, my husband has been in UK just over 5 months and already expecting our first baby in December, and I also work his days off.

He works in care and does security on the weekends he surprises me how much he likes to work with having to move and save for the next visa we have no choice, but at the same time refuse to put our life on hold so that's why we said if we conceived then so be it (took 5 weeks of eating yams hehe) plus not to mention I'm soon turning 30 and hubby 33 so it's the 'right' time for us.

As for the English test you even have to do one for ILR along with life in the UK test and I completely agree it's daylight robbery,can you imagine if our school certificates expired lol


So here's to the next stage to us all so we can continue with our loved ones

dammylizzy:


Thank you so much @Portsmouth86!

That's ok,anytime

Hi, I can see you are doing a really fantastic job here. I studied and lived in the UK for about 6 years before returning back to Nigeria. It was a pretty good experience while there because I learnt so much. It now gets to me sometimes that I didn't get to pick a wife there but I guess it's probably the way I was destined to go. I admire your hubby for seeing how much effort you put to stand by him. The truth is I never thought you British born ladies cared so much lol but I think I was wrong. Well keep the fire burning and have a nice life with your hubby ok. I sure will be visiting soon but I guess with my wify lol

Hey girl... it's been a long while. I came looking for you as soon I got back here. It's been 8 months since my EEA family permit visa was granted... I have been through so much... got pregnant the very month I came to the UK but.lost it in Apr/May... it's been the most traumatic things I've ever had to go through.

Well.. recently I just got sent my BRP certificate at least with it I can work now. As my type of visa is different from that of your hubby's I had to wait for my BRP or the Certificate of Application to be able to work.

I'd be following up on your page ...

Congratulations on the news of your pregnancy... so happy for you... I wish you a healthy 9 months pregnancy... baby dust on me..
Can't wait to get that feeling of being pregnant back.

babyisUS:
Hey girl... it's been a long while. I came looking for you as soon I got back here. It's been 8 months since my EEA family permit visa was granted... I have been through so much... got pregnant the very month I came to the UK but.lost it in Apr/May... it's been the most traumatic things I've ever had to go through.

Well.. recently I just got sent my BRP certificate at least with it I can work now. As my type of visa is different from that of your hubby's I had to wait for my BRP or the Certificate of Application to be able to work.

I'd be following up on your page ...

Congratulations on the news of your pregnancy... so happy for you... I wish you a healthy 9 months pregnancy... baby dust on me..
Can't wait to get that feeling of being pregnant back.

Hi babyisUS,

Been a while, glad to hear you have settled in, then deeply sorry for your loss. I am always at a loss in such situation as I am never certain if you'd want the consolation or would rather be left alone to grieve. I want to believe the grieving is over though. Hugs

Portsmouth86, well done, nice thread. I'd be checking in to see the updates

BuscadoRealty:
Hi, I can see you are doing a really fantastic job here. I studied and lived in the UK for about 6 years before returning back to Nigeria. It was a pretty good experience while there because I learnt so much. It now gets to me sometimes that I didn't get to pick a wife there but I guess it's probably the way I was destined to go. I admire your hubby for seeing how much effort you put to stand by him. The truth is I never thought you British born ladies cared so much lol but I think I was wrong. Well keep the fire burning and have a nice life with your hubby ok. I sure will be visiting soon but I guess with my wify lol

Good morning,

Thank you, I like to help where I can, and I always try to find sources to the information I do share

I think it is such a long and stressful process just to be with the person you love so much, and if the love is real you will succeed as you will always find the strength to carry on and fight, I am just fortunate that my husband was granted 1st time.

I cant have wished for a better husband to share my life with, he works very hard and has been in a job since arriving in the UK after about 2 weeks, and now he also does Security, after completing his SIA training and obtaining his licence, so that he can earn that bit extra for when I go on Maternity leave ( this is our fist and is due just after my 30th birthday....eeeeek lol )

You have proved a great track record for your previous visas so I am sure you will have no issues being granted visit visas.

Stay focused

babyisUS:
Hey girl... it's been a long while. I came looking for you as soon I got back here. It's been 8 months since my EEA family permit visa was granted... I have been through so much... got pregnant the very month I came to the UK but.lost it in Apr/May... it's been the most traumatic things I've ever had to go through.
Well.. recently I just got sent my BRP certificate at least with it I can work now. As my type of visa is different from that of your hubby's I had to wait for my BRP or the Certificate of Application to be able to work.
I'd be following up on your page ...
Congratulations on the news of your pregnancy... so happy for you... I wish you a healthy 9 months pregnancy... baby dust on me..
Can't wait to get that feeling of being pregnant back.

Aww no I'm so sorry to hear of your loss, and there's me saying about my own , but I honestly feel your pain as I lost our first baby at 7 weeks last April, when I should have been approx 12 weeks, so went through a lot of stress and sadness.

So good to see your positive news, now you will be able to relax and in time you will be blessed once more, as I have and this time he is sticking around, sending some baby dust to you my sister

Bleep

newbie715:


Hi babyisUS,

Been a while, glad to hear you have settled in, then deeply sorry for your loss. I am always at a loss in such situation as I am never certain if you'd want the consolation or would rather be left alone to grieve. I want to believe the grieving is over though. Hugs

Portsmouth86, well done, nice thread. I'd be checking in to see the updates

Hi @newbie715,

thanks so much dearest..i appreciate your care and love...yes you are right.... the grieving is over and right now its all about having a positive outlook.. hoping for the best.
how have you been? i hope u are doing well...
Best regards...

Portsmouth86:



Good morning,

Thank you, I like to help where I can, and I always try to find sources to the information I do share

I think it is such a long and stressful process just to be with the person you love so much, and if the love is real you will succeed as you will always find the strength to carry on and fight, I am just fortunate that my husband was granted 1st time.

I cant have wished for a better husband to share my life with, he works very hard and has been in a job since arriving in the UK after about 2 weeks, and now he also does Security, after completing his SIA training and obtaining his licence, so that he can earn that bit extra for when I go on Maternity leave ( this is our fist and is due just after my 30th birthday....eeeeek lol )

You have proved a great track record for your previous visas so I am sure you will have no issues being granted visit visas.

Stay focused




Aww no I'm so sorry to hear of your loss, and there's me saying about my own , but I honestly feel your pain as I lost our first baby at 7 weeks last April, when I should have been approx 12 weeks, so went through a lot of stress and sadness.

So good to see your positive news, now you will be able to relax and in time you will be blessed once more, as I have and this time he is sticking around, sending some baby dust to you my sister

Bleep

Thanks dearie...its all good. Am so sorry about your loss too.. and am particularly happy that this time around this bundle of joy shall stay put and make it all worth it... I guess God has a reason why mine didnt stay... but am positive now that the next blessing that would come will stay and bring us joy.

Am very proud of you and your hardwork and your never-give-up spirit which was what endeared you to me.keep up the good work and extend my regards to your husband...

Depending on the type of renewal you're applying for, you will need at least

2 years worth of paperwork to prove you're cohabiting (basically from the time they arrived) - it's got to be documents in both of your names, and any period that doesn't cover a document in both of your names, it should include either a document in your names that covers that period. One thing that helps is being on the electoral register.

You'll have to pay that fantastic health surcharge which will vary, there's a calculator that you can use to find out how much Health Surcharge you will need to pay: https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/how-much-pay

The form most will need to complete is the FLR (M): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-to-extend-stay-in-the-uk-as-a-partner-form-flrm but check carefully for the correct form. It will be similar to the original spousal visa application form i.e. long, and is about 76 pages. The form can change at any time, good to check it out to have an idea of the information you will need to start collating.

Hi all,

Congrats on the birth of your son Jamal @portsmouth86
I couldn't believe it when I read it on the other board. I was so looking forward to your christmas baby.... hehehe

I have a bun baking too.. due next month... He hasn't decided to appear yet... lol

Anyways, my hubby is worried that I need to apply for my FLR (M) 6 months before my current leave to remain expires.
My current leave to remain is valid till Feb 2018. I was thinking we should apply in January 2018 but he said we should apply in August 2017.
I'm lost and need clarifications. He said he read something online about applying 6 months before the current leave to remain expires.

Please respond people.
Thanks

phardey:
Hi all,

Congrats on the birth of your son Jamal @portsmouth86
I couldn't believe it when I read it on the other board. I was so looking forward to your christmas baby.... hehehe

I have a bun baking too.. due next month... He hasn't decided to appear yet... lol

Anyways, my hubby is worried that I need to apply for my FLR (M) 6 months before my current leave to remain expires.
My current leave to remain is valid till Feb 2018. I was thinking we should apply in January 2018 but he said we should apply in August 2017.
I'm lost and need clarifications. He said he read something online about applying 6 months before the current leave to remain expires.

Please respond people.
Thanks

Hey sorry for my late response, I have pretty much made the NICU department my second home, my Son is now 3 weeks old and has battled meningitis from a nasty infection, but God is with him and he still remains a tough and strong little boy


Congratulations on your pregnancy

You state as I have highlighted Current leave to remain, Your on the Spouse visa, you got in June last year (scary how time has flown )

Now for your information, you can only apply for FLR once you have completed 30 full months in the UK from arrival up until 28 days prior to the expiry of the current Spouse visa ( which I am sure you got last June )

Also remember the English test has changed so you need to do the A2, or if your spoken English is very good I would recommend doing the B1 trinity SELT or B1 IELTS life skills then it can be used for ILR too

I hope that helps

N101:
Depending on the type of renewal you're applying for, you will need at least

2 years worth of paperwork to prove you're cohabiting (basically from the time they arrived) - it's got to be documents in both of your names, and any period that doesn't cover a document in both of your names, it should include either a document in your names that covers that period. One thing that helps is being on the electoral register.

You'll have to pay that fantastic health surcharge which will vary, there's a calculator that you can use to find out how much Health Surcharge you will need to pay: https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/how-much-pay

The form most will need to complete is the FLR (M): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-to-extend-stay-in-the-uk-as-a-partner-form-flrm but check carefully for the correct form. It will be similar to the original spousal visa application form i.e. long, and is about 76 pages. The form can change at any time, good to check it out to have an idea of the information you will need to start collating.

I state above anyone on the road to FLR needs to start filing proof of cohabitation, to which one needs at a minimum, to collect SIX items of mail in joint names from THREE separate sources spread out over the whole period (30-33 months), However, for separate names you'll need to submit two for every one item you haven't been able to collect

The NHS Surcharge hasn't yet changed so currently would be £500 (as the next stage you get just 30 months)for the FLR bear in mind by the time most of us apply for FLR it may have increased,

There are different FLR forms but of course we will get to those as time progresses, however we all hope we can apply for the FLR(M) the 5 year route as long as we still meet the financial requirements, however sometimes life throws things in our way and we may need to apply on the 10 yr route FLR(FP)

good luck to us all and lets get to that ILR at the end then to relax lol

I can imagine. I pray he feels better soon. Strong little boy he is....

Thanks so much for your clarifications. I got in July 2015.
I believe I can still carry on using my university degree certificate for the English language requirement. I have a Bsc. Degree from here.

Thank You

Portsmouth86:


Hey sorry for my late response, I have pretty much made the NICU department my second home, my Son is now 3 weeks old and has battled meningitis from a nasty infection, but God is with him and he still remains a tough and strong little boy


Congratulations on your pregnancy

You state as I have highlighted Current leave to remain, Your on the Spouse visa, you got in June last year (scary how time has flown )

Now for your information, you can only apply for FLR once you have completed 30 full months in the UK from arrival up until 28 days prior to the expiry of the current Spouse visa ( which I am sure you got last June )

Also remember the English test has changed so you need to do the A2, or if your spoken English is very good I would recommend doing the B1 trinity SELT or B1 IELTS life skills then it can be used for ILR too

I hope that helps

phardey:
I can imagine. I pray he feels better soon. Strong little boy he is....

Thanks so much for your clarifications. I got in July 2015.
I believe I can still carry on using my university degree certificate for the English language requirement. I have a Bsc. Degree from here.

Thank You

Yes you can use that still

So dont be applying too early, try to enjoy your time for now my husband can apply from Aug 2018 when he would have been here 30 months but his expires in Nov 2018, so we will be gathering evidence from Feb 2018

Hi Everyone

Hello Portsmouth, just checking on you and your bundle of joy.
Cheers!

Portsmouth86:


Hey sorry for my late response, I have pretty much made the NICU department my second home, my Son is now 3 weeks old and has battled meningitis from a nasty infection, but God is with him and he still remains a tough and strong little boy


Congratulations on your pregnancy

You state as I have highlighted Current leave to remain, Your on the Spouse visa, you got in June last year (scary how time has flown )

Now for your information, you can only apply for FLR once you have completed 30 full months in the UK from arrival up until 28 days prior to the expiry of the current Spouse visa ( which I am sure you got last June )

Also remember the English test has changed so you need to do the A2, or if your spoken English is very good I would recommend doing the B1 trinity SELT or B1 IELTS life skills then it can be used for ILR too

I hope that helps

Guru in the house @justwife I need your wisdom I applied for spouse visa but was refused on grounds that I didn't meet up the financial requirements duo they are right my spouse only earn 18400 at that time now I want to apply again she earns more than that n (1)my question is can I apply with priority we just had a child together so are desperate for me to come over Question (2) while filling my last application I made mistake on my parents DOB which I would like to correct now .

Afrojazzz:
Guru in the house @justwife I need your wisdom I applied for spouse visa but was refused on grounds that I didn't meet up the financial requirements duo they are right my spouse only earn 18400 at that time now I want to apply again she earns more than that n (1)my question is can I apply with priority we just had a child together so are desperate for me to come over Question (2) while filling my last application I made mistake on my parents DOB which I would like to correct now .

Wrong group brother.

Post in

https://www.nairaland.com/823869/uk-spouse-visa-appeal-process-part2

He might answer there.

I'll add my two pence though. If she has a child then the goal posts have been moved by yourselves. I think it's now £22,000 that she needs to meet. Goodluck though and read as much of the other group chat as it really helped me.