Hi everyone...
I was wondering if anyone could help me out on a couple of things...
Like many here, I'm also anxiously waiting on a 10 year ILR application. I applied on the 2nd of August, got my by biometrics done end of September and since then, well, torture....
My first question is along the lines of a recent discussion. Currently I'm on a student visa, my wife on a student dependant visa and I just had a baby 8 months ago which currently has no status. My original idea was that as soon as I got my ILR, I would apply for a new visa for my wife - FLR(M) - and register my baby as a British Citizen, she was born here.
However, as the decision is taking a lot longer than expected and I have a trip planned for the beginning of February - considering I will get my IRL in time - I would not have sufficient time to get my baby's citizenship sorted out. At best, I'll be able to book a premium service appointment and get my wife's spouse visa in time for the trip. I know I can include my child as dependant on the FLR(M) application but that would incur more costs and an increase in the financial requirements.
So the question actually is, if when returning to the UK only myself and my wife have valid visas, how likely is that the officer will see a problem in the baby not having a valid visa? Bearing in mind she was born here, that I'll have ILR and my wife a spouse visa.
The second question is about the financial requirements of the FLR(M). I know it says £18.600 + £3.800 for the first child. My wife is on a 20K + commission contract for a few years now, her P60 for 2010 - 2011 shows £22.500 in total and for 2011 - 2012 it shows £22.150. However, due to the child she has been on maternity leave for 9 - 10 months now. My doubt is what will the HO actually take into account with regards to evidence of earnings in the last 6 months. Will they consider the amount on her contract or will they consider only the maternity pay? Does anyone know?
Sorry about the rambling and thanks in advance...
Cheers