Applying for ILR when not working?

juliehart · Post by **juliehart** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 4:00 pm

Hi, I am married to a British citizen and due to apply for ILR in December. We meet all the criteria according to the Home Office website. I am currently on maternity leave and will probably not return to work at all - I was due back in October. My husband and I have spoken to various immigration lawyers and have been advised that I need to return to work in order to prove that I am contributing to the economy. Does this sound right? My husband is more than capable of supporting us financially so I don't see why I should be forced to go back to work? Any advise appreciated.

sakura · Post by **sakura** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 4:13 pm

juliehart wrote:Hi, I am married to a British citizen and due to apply for ILR in December. We meet all the criteria according to the Home Office website. I am currently on maternity leave and will probably not return to work at all - I was due back in October. My husband and I have spoken to various immigration lawyers and have been advised that I need to return to work in order to prove that I am contributing to the economy. Does this sound right? My husband is more than capable of supporting us financially so I don't see why I should be forced to go back to work? Any advise appreciated.

Wrong! Where do they come up with such things? Lawyers can be funny sometimes...

That is assuming you are on a spouse visa? If you are indeed on a spouse visa there is no requirement that you need to work, or even do anything else. So long as you pass the 'life in the UK test' and meet other requirements (related to your marriage to a BC). Many wives (and some husbands) successfully apply for ILR as housewives/husbands or even students, so you do not need to be in continuous employment, no.

If you are, however, on a WP or HSMP, then....well that's a different issue. I assume you are indeed on a spouse visa?

juliehart · Post by **juliehart** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 4:17 pm

Thanks for the information regarding me not needing to work when I apply for ILR. The next probem is that most of our bills are in my husband's name because he is the one working! How do I explain this to the Home Office?

Post by **John** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 7:23 pm

You mention "bills" but a careful look at the form SET(M) will show you that the scope of the documentation that can be supplied extends beyond mere "bills"!

Suggest you read the definition again and then conclude, well actually, there are quite a number of items in your name. Am I right?

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Applying for ILR when not working?

Applying for ILR when not working?

Re: Applying for ILR when not working?

thanks