ILR - Indefinite Leave to Remain query

[vspr]

Dear Moderators,

I would like to apply for Indefinite Leave to remain in Mar, 2026 but I'm confusing which form should I fill in online and my visa details are below. Please advise.

Entered in UK: Nov, 2012 - May, 2012: Tier 1 (General) Partner
Extension: Sep, 2012 - Sep, 2015: Dependant of Tier 1 (General)
FLR route: Nov, 2015 - Apr, 2018: FLR(M) - Under 5 years route

Applied for FLR(M) extension: May, 2018 and my partner doesn't have enough salary criteria at that period but case worker told me that couldn't reject due to British passport kids then extended with another 30 months with below condition.
[*
Further Applications: I just mentioning here main two points from home office letter.
In order to qualify for settlement you must have completed a continuous period of at least 120 months in the United Kingdom with limited leave granted because of your family life.

If your circumstances remain the same, following a continuous period of lawful leave to remain in the United Kingdom for 10 years and subject to meeting the requirements of the Immigration rules at the time, you may apply for indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom.
]

FLR(M) Extension: Jan, 2021 - Jul, 2023 Extended again with grant of leave to remain under 5 year partner route 30 months.

FLR(M) Extension: Sep, 2023 - till 22 Mar, 2026 extended partner (FLR M) route.

My partner and kids got British passports.

My questions are:
1. Do I need to fill SET(M) online application form for ILR (Indefinite leave to remain)?
2. Do I need to show partner's salary criteria for ILR? If I have to then how much salary criteria need them.
3. I should submit all proof of address same as FLR(M) & also English language certificate, life in UK test.

Please advise if I miss anything else.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Kind regards,
vspr

[zimba]

Why didn't you apply for ILR under the long residence route in 2022 ? You did not need to wait until you have 5 years under the family route.

1. Yes.

Also, for 10-year long residence route, SET(LR) is used: https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/product/set-lr
The choice is yours but the requirements are different. SET(LR) has strict absence limits but no financial requirements.
Instead, the family route has financial requirements but no absence limits.

2. There is a financial requirement under 5-year family route. There is no such requirement under the long residence route.

3. There is no such a requirement as 'proof of address'.
You need to provide cohabitation evidence for the family route: All you need to know about cohabitation evidence
You have to pass LIUK test and prove your level of English, as standard

[vspr]

Dear @Zimba,

Thank you so much the reply.

Sorry. I forgot to mention that I was outside UK for the period (Aug, 2014 - Jul, 2015), that's why I couldn't apply for the long residence route.

1. SET(LR) - That's good no financial requirements but should I submit cohabitation requirements to this?

2. SET(M) - Me and my partner must usually have a combined income of at least £18,600 a year, right?

Suppose if I go for SET(M) - I'm going to get redundant either this month or next month and I don't have enough payslips to submit but my partner is getting enough earnings to submit payslips. Is that fine or do we need to submit both, please?

3. I passed LIUK test and can I submit B1 level certificate where I submitted for FLR(M) extension?

Thanks,
vspr

Why didn't you apply for ILR under the long residence route in 2022 ? You did not need to wait until you have 5 years under the family route.

1. Yes.

Also, for 10-year long residence route, SET(LR) is used: https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/product/set-lr
The choice is yours but the requirements are different. SET(LR) has strict absence limits but no financial requirements.
Instead, the family route has financial requirements but no absence limits.

2. There is a financial requirement under 5-year family route. There is no such requirement under the long residence route.

3. There is no such a requirement as 'proof of address'.
You need to provide cohabitation evidence for the family route: All you need to know about cohabitation evidence
You have to pass LIUK test and prove your level of English, as standard

[zimba]

1. No. Under the long residence, you apply on your own and you must qualify on your own. Your relationships/family are NOT relevant

2. The financial evidence can come from either of you. It does not matter who

3. Yes. Same B1 certificate can be used.

[vspr]

Dear Zimba,

Thanks a million. My sincere gratitude.

You make everything better for me and I couldn't have done it without your help.

This site is really very helpful if people doesn't know anything about the visa application forms and other queries when filling the forms but outside solicitors are charging huge amount of money for small queries as well. I have been hearing this site since 15 years and my partner 23 years.

I really don't understand how they're maintaining this site with free and trying to find there is anyone free donating to this site. If anyone doing like that, I would like to know.

Please let me know, Zimba.

Thanks,
vspr

1. No. Under the long residence, you apply on your own and you must qualify on your own. Your relationships/family are NOT relevant

2. The financial evidence can come from either of you. It does not matter who

3. Yes. Same B1 certificate can be used.

[zimba]

We are here as unpaid volunteers. Happy to help when possible.

[vspr]

You guys are really great

We are here as unpaid volunteers. Happy to help when possible.

[vspr]

Dear @Zimba,

I'm applying under 10-years long residence route and got few questions doubt while filling the form. Please clarify on these.

When I click the below 10 years long residence link then form has opened but below highlighted as well.
1. Apply to settle in the UK – long residence
Use this form if you have lived in the UK lawfully for 10 years continuously and now want to apply to settle in the UK.

If you are the spouse or partner of someone who is settled and currently living in the UK and you have completed the relevant period of continuous leave in the UK using the 'Family Route', you cannot use this form. You must instead apply using the form Apply to settle in the UK - Partner of a person or parent of a child already settled in the UK.

They mentioned in the form above highlighted paragraph. Can I still use this form?

2. Do you have a biometric residence permit (BRP)?(Required)
This includes expired BRPs if the expiry date was less than 18 months ago.
Yes
No
I got Biometric with me but I forgot to send back to home office after expired (Dec, 2024), if I give
biometric details now, will it be a problem?

3. How long have you lived in the UK?
Should I enter here first I entered the UK 2011 or qualified time period for LR i.e., 2015 onwards?

4. Are you part of any social groups or do you have other cultural ties in your country of birth, nationality or any other country where you have lived for more than 5 years? No

Explain why not – I mentioned: I wasn’t involved in any social groups or cultural ties.

Children:

5. Who does xxxxxx (Son’s name) normally live with? We're living all together. WHICH OPTION SHOULD I SELECT HERE.
a.You
b.xxxxxxxx (Partner's name)
c. Other
If I select option b then it’s showing
You may need to provide evidence of you or your partner’s access to the child and/or evidence of
parental relationships (my kids & husband got British passport).
Is it ok to submit kids birth certificates?

6. Do you have any other reasons for wanting to stay in the UK? I SELECTED OPTION B.
a. I do not have any other reasons for wanting to stay in the UK
b. I have other reasons for wanting to stay in the UK
For example, evidence of an active relationship with a child or parent or medical evidence such as
evidence of serious ill health.

I mentioned here i.e., Active relationship with children and husband. Is that right or do I need to write something else?

Please help me with these questions.

Kind regards,
vspr

Why didn't you apply for ILR under the long residence route in 2022 ? You did not need to wait until you have 5 years under the family route.

1. Yes.

Also, for 10-year long residence route, SET(LR) is used: https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/product/set-lr
The choice is yours but the requirements are different. SET(LR) has strict absence limits but no financial requirements.
Instead, the family route has financial requirements but no absence limits.

2. There is a financial requirement under 5-year family route. There is no such requirement under the long residence route.

3. There is no such a requirement as 'proof of address'.
You need to provide cohabitation evidence for the family route: All you need to know about cohabitation evidence
You have to pass LIUK test and prove your level of English, as standard

[zimba]

1. You misunderstood the note. Under the long residence, your current visa route is NOT relevant. SET(LR) is the correct form. That is a notice for people who want to apply under the 10-year family route for ILR. It is intended to warn them that they must use a different form.

2. Those are leftover legacy question on the form. BRPs are no longer relevant or needed at all

3. It does not matter what you answer

4. It does not matter what you answer

5. You do NOT need to provide anything regarding your family at all. This is a known error on the SET(LR) form. Under the long residence, you apply on your own and you must qualify on your own. Your relationships/family do NOT matter

6. You do NOT need other reasons to stay in the UK. If you select that option, the document list will ask you for evidence of these reasons. This will confuse you even further

[vspr]

Thank you so much for your reply and has given answers, Zimba.

1. You misunderstood the note. Under the long residence, your current visa route is NOT relevant. SET(LR) is the correct form. That is a notice for people who want to apply under the 10-year family route for ILR. It is intended to warn them that they must use a different form.

2. Those are leftover legacy question on the form. BRPs are no longer relevant or needed at all

3. It does not matter what you answer

4. It does not matter what you answer

5. You do NOT need to provide anything regarding your family at all. This is a known error on the SET(LR) form. Under the long residence, you apply on your own and you must qualify on your own. Your relationships/family do NOT matter

6. You do NOT need other reasons to stay in the UK. If you select that option, the document list will ask you for evidence of these reasons. This will confuse you even further