[manny.j]

How to answer SET(M) question "How long has he/she lived in the UK" in our situation

Hello:

Both me and my wife will be returning to the UK from USA shortly. We both are in the process of filling the SET(M) form for my wife, and got stuck in the following question:

"How long has he/she (i.e. the UK spouse) lived in the UK"


I for one find this question confusing as I fail to understand reason behind asking this question and how it can make someone eligible or non-eligible in the application processing. I am a UK citizen but have been living abroad since 2003 my wife (a US citizen) and I are returning together to the UK. We are both hoping for her to get her ILR before new rules are implemented.

So how should we answer this question?

 

[Joppa]

Hello:

Both me and my wife will be returning to the UK from USA shortly. We both are in the process of filling the SET(M) form for my wife, and got stuck in the following question:

"How long has he/she (i.e. the UK spouse) lived in the UK"


I for one find this question confusing as I fail to understand reason behind asking this question and how it can make someone eligible or non-eligible in the application processing. I am a UK citizen but have been living abroad since 2003 my wife (a US citizen) and I are returning together to the UK. We are both hoping for her to get her ILR before new rules are implemented.

So how should we answer this question?

You shouldn't be filling SET(M), as it's for indefinite leave to remain after being in UK on spouse visa for 2 years. It's the online version of VAF4A you should be completing.
If the correct form asks a similar question, just state the fact, namely you have been living abroad since 2003 and in US with your wife and are returning together to settle in UK.

 

[manny.j]

You shouldn't be filling SET(M), as it's for indefinite leave to remain after being in UK on spouse visa for 2 years. It's the online version of VAF4A you should be completing.
If the correct form asks a similar question, just state the fact, namely you have been living abroad since 2003 and in US with your wife and are returning together to settle in UK.

Joppa: Thanks for your reply and suggestion. Actually, as I mentioned in my previous posts (I probably should have mentioned here too! ), my wife already got her entrance visa with KOL endorsement (we have been married for 7+ years during time of application submission). Hence, this makes her eligible for applying for ILR as soon as she passes the Life in the UK test without having to wait for 2 years. That is why we are filling SET(M) form for her.

 

[AnAmericanInScotland]

Joppa: Thanks for your reply and suggestion. Actually, as I mentioned in my previous posts (I probably should have mentioned here too! ), my wife already got her entrance visa with KOL endorsement (we have been married for 7+ years during time of application submission). Hence, this makes her eligible for applying for ILR as soon as she passes the Life in the UK test without having to wait for 2 years. That is why we are filling SET(M) form for her.

So, your wife has the visa with the KOL. Has she taken and passed the test yet? I think though, that even with that visa she still has to be inside the UK to apply on the Set(M)-correct me, please, but I don't think she can apply on the Set(M) until she is actually in the UK.

Your situation is different from mine, I'm the USC married to the UKC and we have only been married for a year. I'm in the UK and will be applying for the ILR as soon as I am eligible (early 2013). But I'm curious about the longer term marriages outside the UK, I have several friends in the US who are very seriously considering returning.