FLR(M) - Help & advice most appreciated

[elche]

Hi Forum,

Neewbie to this forum, would really appreciate your collective thoughts on this.

I'm a UK citizen, and my wife is non- EEA currently living with me on a spouse visa valid from 27/11/12 - 27/08/15, with UK entry stamp as from 21/12/12.

If I am correct, the next step is to apply for FLR(m) under the 5 year route (as original application post dates July 12). This much I believe (and do correct me if this is wrong), is clear.

I'd love thoughts on 2 questions please:

1) Wife is taking the UK Life in the UK test on 29/06. It appears that passing this is not a requirement for the FLR(M) application.

(a) Is it correct that you can apply for FLR(M) w/o showing evidence that the applicant has passed the LITUKT; and

(b) If she passes this, and then does not need this again till circa 27/11/17 (original start date + 5 years) for her ILR application, will this evidence of passing the LITUKT still be valid when we apply for ILR?

(2) Do you know if we will have to pay the UK healthcare surcharge?:

https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigrati ... eed-to-pay

With gratitude in advance.

Elche

[Casa]

Yes, the application will be FLR(M). Your wife doesn't need the Life in the UK test at this stage. If she chooses to sit it now and passes, it will remain valid for when she qualifies for ILR, when she will also need B1 level English.
She will need to pay the new NHS surcharge of £500 online before submitting her FLR(M) application.
https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigrati ... n/overview

[elche]

Hi Casa, (mine is yours an all 'that),

Thank you so much for your prompt and succinct reply, which confirms most of my suspicions. I just can't believe the collective price (and hassle) of all this!

I did neglect to mention in the OP that she does already have ESOL - Skills for Life (Speaking & Listening) Entry 3 pass certificate already - this is, "...B1 level English.", right?

Thanks for clarifying the NHS surcharge.

One last question.

If the 5 year rules apply to us, and the original visa (valid from 27/11/12) was 'activated' by her entry on 21/12/12, does that mean that the FLR(M) granted (and indeed needed) will be less than 2.5 years, hence incurring £500 NHS Surcharge as opposed to 3 years @ £600.

[Casa]

You will need to check that the ESOL test is still on the UKVI approved list when your wife is ready to apply for ILR.
This second FLR(M) visa is for a shorter term than the initial entry visa, so as you thought, the NHS surcharge will be £500.

[elche]

You will need to check that the ESOL test is still on the UKVI approved list when your wife is ready to apply for ILR.

Thanks Casa, that makes sense. I think that the current centre, today, is UKVI approved. I'd hate to have to argue that point if in 2.5 years the centre was no longer 'approved'.....

Maybe divorce would be easier ......fookin politicians.