ECAA Dependant ILR Application (March 2027) - Financial Requirement and Change of Status Question

[gurbiss]

Hi everyone,
​I am looking for some clarity regarding my spouse's upcoming ILR (Settlement) application as an ECAA Dependant, specifically regarding the financial requirements and a recent change in my employment status.
​Here is our timeline and current situation:
​My Status (Sponsor): I arrived in the UK on a tourist visa in Feb 2020 and switched to ECAA (Ankara Agreement) Business person within the UK. My visa was granted in August 2020. I successfully obtained my ILR on 30th October 2025.
​Dependants' Status: My spouse and 3 daughters arrived in the UK on 17/01/2022 under ECAA Family Reunion. My 3 daughters were granted ILR alongside me on 30th October 2025. However, my spouse could not apply at that time as she had not completed her 5-year residency requirement.
​Change of Employment: After receiving my ILR, I closed my ECAA business in November 2025. I currently work as an employee for 24 hours/week (net weekly pay: £287.40). My spouse started a part-time job in May 2026, working 8 hours/week (net weekly pay: £102.00).
​Benefits & Housing: I receive Universal Credit (joint claim, but my spouse is strictly excluded due to her 'no public funds' condition). We also own our home with a mortgage (£489/month) and pay Council Tax (£127/month).
​Upcoming Application: My spouse will complete her 5 years on 17th January 2027 and we plan to submit her ILR application around March 2027.
​My Questions:
​Since I closed my ECAA business post-ILR and we now receive Universal Credit, will my spouse be subject to any financial requirement or "Adequate Maintenance" test for her ILR application under Appendix ECAA Settlement?
​Does my current employment status (24 hours/week as an employee) or our UC claim pose any risk to her application?
​Apart from KoLL (B1 English + Life in the UK) and cohabitation documents (mortgage, council tax, bills), what specific financial documents (if any) do we need to provide?
​Thank you so much for your guidance!

[zimba]

Your employment status is irrelevant for her ILR.
She must meet the other requirements like English language and LIUK. She also must provide cohabitation evidence to prove you have lived together in the UK in the most recent 2 years.

Read --> All you need to know about cohabitation evidence

A person who is subject to NRPF, should not claim any public funds, however you can claim as you have ILR, but there are some caveats.

Your situation is known as a 'mixed household' and is explained here: https://www.nrpfnetwork.org.uk/informat ... households

FYI
It is important to note that the government is moving to introduce the new “earned settlement” rules for ILR, which means the usual 5-year long residence route could be affected. Under “earned settlement”, qualifying period for ILR will instead be determined based on many factors (salary, level of contribution, English language level, etc) rather than being just a fixed qualifying period.
These changes are yet to be announced and they may or may not affect getting ILR in 2027

[gurbiss]

Thanks all answers. I appreciate.