Immigrationboards.com

Hello,

My two children will be applying for their ILR shortly.

They had entered UK when they were under 18, as dependants of a British Citizen.

One of the children has done GCSE and then A levels and is now studying in the second year of university.
The other child has done functional Level 3 in English.

Can anyone please guide me if the above qualifications will suffice or do they still need to give IELTS?

Thank you for your time.

Applicants, including children 18 or older, need the B1 IELTS test and life in the UK test.

Children under 18 do NOT need either test.

Thinkandgo wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 26, 2025 10:04 pm

One of the children has done GCSE and then A levels and is now studying in the second year of university.

Irrelevant.

If the child is applying for ILR on or after their 18th birthday, they need either (a) proof of a degree completed in English or (b) an appropriate English language test at B1 level.

As an aside, keep in mind that once they get ILR, the over-18 year children are no longer considered dependents and will need to meet all the requirements (the one year delay after ILR, the two absence requirements and the physical presence requirements, etc) as any adult applicant.

Thank you CR001 and Secret.Simon for your timely revert.

Hello,

My family (wife and 2 children) will complete their 5 years on 25th October 2025.

I have submitted the online application for ILR - Set(M) on 22nd September 2025 and also paid the fees on this date (almost 33 days before the family completes 5 years).

I have booked the date for Biometrics on 30th September 2025 (almost 25 days before the family completes 5 years).

Have I done anything wrong?

Please advise.

You do not need 5 years to qualify for ILR.

Read: All you need to know about applying early, the application date, 28-day concession and more

Many thanks Zimba for your timely revert.

If my understanding is correct, I can proceed with the steps I have taken so far, with regards to the Application Date and the Biometrics Date?

Yes

Thanks a Ton Zimba!!

Your timely revert saved a lot of my Grey Cells from getting damaged and was certainly a life saver!!

Nice

Hello,

I am a British citizen.

My son, when he was just under 18, joined me as a dependant and now has applied for ILR - Set(M).

In the last 5 years he has never left the UK.

He has always stayed with me in my house.

He has not started a new life nor is he married.

He has worked on zero hours contract for the last 5 years, without any gaps.

His average salary per month is around £900. (except for the last 3 months when it has been £1200 due to extra hours worked).

He paid the council tax, electricity bills and the groceries bills for the last 5 years.

I only paid the house rent, for the last 5 years.

As he is over 21 years now, will the above scenario make him an independent or he shall still be considered as my dependant?

Any advice would be highly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Here is the definition of leading an independent life:

‘Must not be leading an independent life’ or ‘is not leading an independent life’
means that the applicant does not have a partner (as defined in paragraph GEN.1.2.
of Appendix FM), is living with their parents (except where they are at boarding
school, college or university as part of their full-time education), is not employed fulltime (unless aged 18 years or over), is wholly or mainly dependent upon their parents for financial support (unless aged 18 years or over), and is wholly or mainly
dependent upon their parents for emotional support

Thank you Zimba.

I have gone through the clause but unable to comprehend its technicalities.

Seeing my son's scenario, would he be considered as a dependant?

Many thanks for your time and help.

It has no technicalities. His circumstances do not make him living an independent life