FLR(M) English Language Requirements - Undergoing Degree

[abysussex]

I'm in the process of applying a visa for my partner who is on a student resident permit in the UK and has nearly completed her Law degree.

In the English language requirements for FLR(M) it says that she requires either an an approved test (after April 2015) or a qualification equal to a Bachelor's/Master's Degree/Doctorate.

My partner has been studying in the UK since 2010. A-levels for 2 years from a reputed sixth-form and then her Law Degree since 2012 but hasn't completed yet- she has another round of exams/ final exams in late August(this month)

What is the best option to meet the English Language requirement? It says in the guidance that those awaiting graduation can get a letter from the university to that effect- but strictly speaking she has not been awarded the degree yet- she will graduate in September but that can only be confirmed after her exams in late August.

She is highly fluent in English -better than most of us in Britain- a debating champion and thinks its almost degrading to have to sit a basic English exam and pay 150 quid for it! Is it possible to submit her degree information (that she is undergoing a degree) with her A-level certificates?

Any help would be appreciated as we wish to submit the application ASAP as her current visa expires mid september.

Thanks


Aby

[CR001]

She will need either her degree certificate or she will need to do the 10 minute English test. A-Levels would not be acceptable.

You don't say what your partners nationality is, could you state that for reference?

Also, assuming you are not married and are applying for an unmarried partner visa, do you have cohabitation proof covering the last 24 months and do you meet the financial requirement?

[abysussex]

My partner is a national of India.

Difficult though it was, we got married a month ago after getting the required clearance for her from the Home Office.

We have been living together since April this year in my home-address. Do we still have to send 6 items of correspondence each as it says in the application form even if we are married?

Which is the best English test to take in your opinion ? Considering difficulty of the test is not a problem, which is likely to be the best one with future extension of VISA in view?

Thanks very much for your help!

I never realised it was this tough to get married to a foreign national!

[CR001]

She needs to do level A1 from one of the approved test providers in this link (click). Dead easy for a law student studying law in the UK so she won't have a problem at all.

2 years cohabitation not required if recently married, proof of subsisting marriage is though.

Once she has her degree, she can use that for English proof for future visa, ILR and British Citizenship applications (as the rules stand now).

[abysussex]

Thanks again for your prompt reply.Much appreciated.

We were just discussing- Is it safer to do the B1 (as it's a higher level test than A1 ? ) just in case they change the rules in the future?

We already have to spend a good deal of money on our wedding recently and now coughing up for all these VISA fees - so wondering whether to do the B1 instead of the A1 as we have to spending 150 quid for the test! Sorry if we are stretching it a bit but thought worth asking. The difficulty as you know isn't a problem, she did I-GCSEs in India and has straight As on her A-levels including English. So a top student really.

Is there any harm in doing B1- the higher degree test?

Thanks

A

[CR001]

B1 would be acceptable yes.

Are you aware of the immigration health surcharge she has to pay of £500, upfront before she submits her application?

[abysussex]

Yes, indeed. Thanks for reminding us. One cost over the other! Our local surgery waiting times are unbelievable- they don't seem to be spending anything on the NHS. Wonder where all the money goes.

One thing we are quite worried about is whether they'll want to investigate us- there are horrendous stories in the Guardian about it.
Her Student Resident Permit expires mid September and we've only got a month's time.

Any ideas on the current waiting times for postal applications? Can't afford the Premium Service (designed for oligarchs I suppose)

A

[CR001]

FLR(M) timeline thread here (click)

If you have proof of your relationship prior to marriage, submit what you can and it should not be a problem. You got married without any hiccups from HO so she should be fine.

[abysussex]

Happy to say- she passed her test B1 with Grade A at Trinity College.

We are all set to apply. Trinity College gave us an examination report but hasn't posted the certificate yet (the test happened on the 6th of August) - does anyone know if the candidate number on the report the same as the SELT unique reference number?
The application requires us to quote the Unique reference number.