Switch from Tier 2 General to ILR Dependent

[Valipe]

My visa status so far in the UK:

2009 Oct to 2011 March - Student Visa ( Completed Msc in UK )
2011 March to 2013 March - PSW(Worked as an IT Consultant in UK)
2013 March to 2015 Oct - Tier 2 General( Working as an IT Consultant and my company has sponsored my tier 2 visa- it's valid until March 2016)

2015 December - Planning to apply for an ILR Dependent visa

I have been in the UK for 6 years overall but i can't apply for an ILR as I think the years on student visa and PSW dont count. My Fiancé has an ILR( he was working on Tier 1 General before) and we are getting married this December.

After the wedding, I am planning to apply for an ILR Dependent visa. My questions are as follows:

1. Which form do I need to use for this ? Is it SET(O) or SET(M) or FLR(M) or PBS dependent form for people already in UK on Tier 2 and applying for an ILR Dependent?
2. Do I need to take the LIFE IN UK test?
3. I have a UK Masters degree. Do I still need to apply to UK NARIC to get a certificate for my English skills?
4. When would I be eligible for an ILR after I get my ILR dependent visa? Would my current 2 year 10 months on Tier 2 visa be counted? Or do I need to wait another 5 years?
5. I assume I can do both permanent and contract jobs on my ILR dependent visa. Is this right?
6. I have sponsored visiting visas for my parents few times before. Can I do that when I am on ILR Dependent visa as well?

Kindly let me know. Your time and answers are greatly appreciated.

Thank you for all the help,

Regards,
Valipe

[CR001]

1. FLR(M) is the correct form. It is a 2 x 2.5 year visa route and don't forget you have to pay the health surcharge of £500.

2. Not for FLR(M). LIUK is ONLY required for ILR and citizenship.

3. Your degree alone should be sufficient to meet the English requirement.

4. 5 years on FLR(M) before you qualify for ILR, unless you apply under 10 years long residence in 2019. You cannot combine time on different categories for 5 years residence, it can only be combined for 10 years long residence ILR applications.

5. You can do any job or no job, your choice.

6. Yes, should not be a problem.

[geriatrix]

Time to ILR depending on the route:
1. Tier 2 General - 2018
2. Long Residence - 2019
3. FLR(M) - 2020/2021

[Valipe]

Thank you so much for the quick replies. This forum seems to be really helpful!!

I just got a couple of more questions before I start my process:

1. Do we have to show some specific amount in our bank account? If so, is it in my account or my husband's account? What is the amount and for how many months?
Note: I earn more than 55k per year - so are my pay slips sufficient?

2. Do you see any disadvantages on changing from Tier 2 General work permit to ILR Dependent? I only want to do this to be free to work any where and not to be bound to my current company.

3. Any other important points or considerations that I need to take care or should be aware of before I apply?

Please let me know.
Thank you for all the help,
Valipe

[CR001]

1. No, you do not need to maintain a specific balance for a certain period. You only need to meet the financial/income requirement.

2. Your clock towards ILR will be reset to zero and also, if you marriage breaks down, your leave won't be valid. Can't think of any other disadvantages.

3. Can't think of any. Read through the FLR(M) form and guidance and come back with any further questions and we will help if we can.

[Valipe]

Dear Members,
I am applying for an ILR dependent visa (using the form FLR(M)) this week and below are my final queries before I apply.Thank you for your time in advance.
1. I have a permanent job and an income above 50k per year and hence I am submitting MY documents to cover the financial requirement. My husband is a contractor. Do we need to show his income related documents as well for a stronger application? Or is my income sufficient as it meets the required criteria?
2. I have a Master’s degree from UK. I assume I don’t need to check with UK NARIC or take any English language test and I can submit my Masters Certificate as evidence for English Language. Please confirm.
3. Apart from all the supporting documents, I assume a cover letter is also required. Could you kindly help me with a sample letter please?
4. I am living with my husband for the past 1 year and 3 months in the UK. We lived separately before that in the UK as we weren’t married. But the form (on Page 21- section 6.8)requires addresses that we stayed for the last 2 years? So do we give our separate addresses for that remaining 9 month’s period?
5. On Page 47 ‘Date my fingerprints were taken for any previous application’ are required. I don’t remember the exact date. Would this be a problem?
6. On Page 52: It says - Please provide details of any periods of absence of more than six months during that time. I have gone to India many times but each trip lasting not more than 3 months. But I did go multiple times. Hope this is not an issue as each trip did not exceed 6 months and hence I assume I don’t have to give any details in this section. Kindly confirm.
7. I will also include my employment letter and wedding photographs. Is there anything else required apart from these 2 and the supporting documents mentioned on the form?
Sorry for the long list of questions but just wanted to be 100% sure before I apply. Thank you for all the help in advance.

Cordially,
Divya Valipe

[CR001]

1. Your income should be fine.

2. Degree from UK university should be fine.

3. Cover letter not required. The form asks for all the details necessary.

4. The form covers extensions as well, which require the 2 years cohabitation. If you only have 1 year 3 months, submit what you have.

5. Month and year will be sufficient.

6. Not applicable then if under 6 months, leave blank.

7. You need 6 months payslips and 6 months bank statements, marriage certificate, spouse passport.

[Valipe]

Thanks a ton for the quick reply. Really appreciate.

Very helpful people you are!!! Cheers!