My Visit to Immigration Today

So, I walked all of 1/2 mile up the road. There was no queue. I rang the buzzer at the window / desk and an Immigration officer with a scouse accent walked up to the window....

He told me the following:

1] That a TOEIC test result would not be valid for my wife for Citizenship if they have been struck off the approved list, even though it was accepted 2.5 years ago. I am going to email them to get confirmation.

2] That once here in the UK with a Fiancee Visa a form FLR Set(M) would be needed for a visa extension after 6 months and marriage. Letters addressed to the applicant and the sponsor would be required. As indicated on the form.


Form FLR(M)
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/336887/FLR_M__07-14.pdf

3] That once FLR has been gained then if the applicant spend any more than 3 months outside of the country then they would be a bit concerned.


4] The funny bit. He said there is no need to go overboard with the documentation. He said he had to ask a couple of applicants just recently to go away and filter out some of the documentary evidence as there was way too much of it.

Number 4 was for a fiancee visa or an FLR?

Thanks so much for doing that John. My two questions are answered - I need to get things into joint names as soon as he gets here, and he mustn't spend more than 3 months of the year out of the UK. If only we had that man on the forum

For FLR

Yes. We are lucky here.

That's a really convenient solution. Lucky I don't have their phone number else I'd be pestering them You know I briefly read the FLR and wasn't aware of the requirement as letters for proof of relationship until mentioned in the thread earlier. I have now gone round all my utilities and localk council to add my wifes name on the bills. I will have to explain in the FLR that I missed the requirement and can only provide bills with both are names on for the last 8 months. My wife does has a few in her name for a longer period. Ive printed the FLR and advice docs so I can have a proper read

Yes, but have a dig around. You might be surprised what you may have. Joint bank statements etc. they tell you on the FLR M form the sources you can use.

What about council tax docs?

At least with the FLR you will be having a face to face to explain things, if you have opted for that of course. Much easier explaining to someone face to face than trying to write an explanation.

You're really lucky John having this facility on your doorstep

Maybe you can be our errand boy or runner

Yes. But they would get peed off with me going in there every day.

Cross his palm John, cross his palm

Yea we will have a dig around.

Does this chap know everything off the top of his head or do you have to wait while he digs around for the requested information?

He is an Immigration Officer. They process FLR, ILR and Citizenship applications. Either accept or refuse. They even get involved in Spouse and Fiancee visa applications. He knew it all off the top of his head but had to check the 3 month thing for time out of country.

I have used them a lot.

It must fill you with an air of confidence having that kind of facility on your doorstep, its all good.

I either call in or ring them. Very helpful they are.

For ILR we just dropped the package off, no appointment necessary. No queue. Took 2 weeks.

It is one of the benefits of being here.

Tax is easy here too. They make it easy to fill out your tax return and have a drop in type service.

You're starting to make the visa process sound like a cake walk as our American cousins would say

Well, it is easier when you can talk to them face to friendly face.

Sounds good, as long as you can keep dealing with the same chap.