Spouse visa extension English requirement

[TODMATT]

Here we go again! My comment above was backed up with evidence so I rest my case.

[seagul]

Risky manoeuvre as even the UKVI application fee list call it as "Settlement" and it was formerly even recently at few places is still called as "settlement visa" for which hundreds of weblinks can be found through Google search.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... april-2020

[TODMATT]

Some people have ticked settlement or family and got approved without no problem.

This issue is not a ground for refusal and applicants who ticked either of this option won’t be pennailisrd

Caseworker guidance described it as a family visa and also indefinite leave to remain is described as “settlement”

And

Gov website differentiate the difference and sometimes also mix them up.

“Find out if you can apply to settle in the UK
Check if you’re eligible for “settlement” (also called ‘indefinite leave to remain’) in the UK.

You can also find out how to apply.

Settling means you can stay in the UK without any time restrictions.”

https://www.gov.uk/settle-in-the-uk

Thousands of people have ticked either option and got approved so this is no issue.

We can all agree that the application form is not designed properly.

[seagul]

Well on reading several experiences and looking the proclivity of the way the UKVI has started working recently I must say that caseworker always looking for the ways to put the person on wrong/longer family route to reset their ILR clock which has had happened if a deep search is to be made not just under this section rather other sides of forums too. Also a lot of times when an extension is granted the applicant cannot realize as to what route it was granted under who later find it out, therefore, choosing "family" is highly risky. Notwithstanding, FLRm/spouse visa aren't yet actually a settled status but still counted as Settlement as described in UKVI fee section, naric website and many more. Also it must be inculcated that not all caseworkers are gracious and savvy.

[TODMATT]

Yes I do agree that UKVI are always looking for ways to put people on 10 years route but certainly this is not a ground for such case even if the application was filled incorrectly because paragraph

"34B. (1) Where an application for leave to remain does not meet the requirements of paragraph 34(1)-(9), the Secretary of State may notify the applicant and give them one opportunity to correct the error(s) or omission(s) identified by the Secretary of State within the timescale specified in the notification. "

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration ... -in-the-uk

Choosing family is not risky, please let stop this scaremongering to fellow members.

A lot of people have ticked family and got approved without any refusal. if applicants apply under 5 years and didn't fulfill the requirement then caseworker will usually issue the reason why they didn't meet the requirement and may consider them under EX1a or EX1b assuming they meet the requirement under that clause.

Evidence have been given above to back my case and respected members can judge for themselves.

[seagul]

Above proviso and similar interdisciplinary ones exist from ages but still dependant on individual caseworker. The ILR section of forum is full of members experiences where their clocks were resetted. Even here some of the very good contributors selected settlement and got success.

[baclubflyer]

Thanks Seagul and CR001. You have been really helpful. From your feedback, I'll apply for the red route i.e. visa and nationality statement. And I believe this will include both Academic Qualification Level Statement (AQUALS) and The English Language Proficiency Statement (ELPS) from Naric.

I know my next questions are a bit more specific but we may have members in this forum which faced these
questions already. Your guidance will be really helpful:

- How can I be sure if Naric would equate my degree to UK Bachelors. Is there any online calculator or list of universities available. I don't want to waste time+money if I end up getting a certificate from Naric which isn't the requirement. (I did 4 years BCS from Comsats, Islamabad, Pakistan)

- Also is there any way to find out if Naric will provide ELPS for my degree from Pakistan? Again, don't want to waste time+money if I end up getting something not desired e.g. Naric stating they cannot tell if it was English proficient.

Many thanks again!
Cheers.

Online qualifications comparability calculator has been removed from quite a long time ago especially since NARIC came to surface. Most often a 4 years of bachelor degree is equivalent to UK bachelor which unfortunately will only be confirmed after making the appropriate fee to NARIC. Also don't forget that sitting for test will cost you same while giving you more rapid result and if you will manage to pass B1 test then you might not have to pass any test till your settlmenent journey.

This is super useful. Just want to check, if having obtained the NARIC visa and nationality statement at initial spouse visa application stage, can the same document be used for the renewal at 2.5 years as well?

Is it correct that the NAARIC visa and nationality statement is essentially no different to IELTS B1 test (ie both will take you up to settlement)? Just want to avoid ending up needing to do both!!

Thanks in advance!!

[AmazonianX]

Thanks Seagul and CR001. You have been really helpful. From your feedback, I'll apply for the red route i.e. visa and nationality statement. And I believe this will include both Academic Qualification Level Statement (AQUALS) and The English Language Proficiency Statement (ELPS) from Naric.

I know my next questions are a bit more specific but we may have members in this forum which faced these
questions already. Your guidance will be really helpful:

- How can I be sure if Naric would equate my degree to UK Bachelors. Is there any online calculator or list of universities available. I don't want to waste time+money if I end up getting a certificate from Naric which isn't the requirement. (I did 4 years BCS from Comsats, Islamabad, Pakistan)

- Also is there any way to find out if Naric will provide ELPS for my degree from Pakistan? Again, don't want to waste time+money if I end up getting something not desired e.g. Naric stating they cannot tell if it was English proficient.

Many thanks again!
Cheers.

Online qualifications comparability calculator has been removed from quite a long time ago especially since NARIC came to surface. Most often a 4 years of bachelor degree is equivalent to UK bachelor which unfortunately will only be confirmed after making the appropriate fee to NARIC. Also don't forget that sitting for test will cost you same while giving you more rapid result and if you will manage to pass B1 test then you might not have to pass any test till your settlmenent journey.

This is super useful. Just want to check, if having obtained the NARIC visa and nationality statement at initial spouse visa application stage, can the same document be used for the renewal at 2.5 years as well? If it was assessed as equivalent to A2( this is what is minimum requirement for renewal at 2.5 years) or above i.e. B1(this take till settlement)

Is it correct that the NAARIC visa and nationality statement is essentially no different to IELTS B1 test (ie both will take you up to settlement)? Yes Just want to avoid ending up needing to do both!!

Thanks in advance!!

[seagul]

Is it correct that the NAARIC visa and nationality statement is essentially no different to IELTS B1 test (ie both will take you up to settlement)? Just want to avoid ending up needing to do both!!

Thanks in advance!!

Yes if obtained under naric red route.