From Spouse Visa to ILR: A Real Family Settlement Success Story in London

Securing Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as a spouse of a British citizen is the final step in turning a relationship built on trust into a life built in the UK. For many, the process seems straightforward – until small details like document expiry dates or missing proofs threaten to delay or derail the application.
At Conroy Baker Ltd., London, our role is to ensure such complications never stand in the way of family unity. This case study showcases how our legal precision and empathetic approach helped one client transform potential obstacles into a smooth, successful ILR approval.

Our client, ‘Rajesh’ (name changed for confidentiality), an Indian national married to a British citizen, initially entered the UK on a dependent visa. Over time, he transitioned to a UK Spouse visa (Appendix FM) after meeting all relationship and financial requirements.

After five years of lawful residence and continuous cohabitation with his partner in East London, he became eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

During our consultation in November 2024, our London immigration team conducted a comprehensive eligibility and documentation audit, verifying:

• Validity of English language certification (CEFR B1 or above).
• Coverage of joint residence proofs at 4-6 month intervals across five years.
• Expiry dates for biometric residence permits and dependent documents.
• Compliance with income and relationship maintenance requirements under Appendix FM.

We immediately developed a corrective plan to renew his test certification and strengthen documentation gaps before submission.

Total Processing Time: 8 weeks

• 🧾 Valid English language test certificate (B1 CEFR or higher)
• 💍 Marriage certificate & photos demonstrating genuine relationship
• 🏠 Joint residence proofs (utility bills, council tax, bank statements, tenancy) covering 5 years
• 💷 Financial requirement proofs (payslips, P60s, bank statements)
• 🗂️ Letter from landlord and local council verifying continuous tenancy
• 📅 Updated BRP copies for both partners
• ✉️ Cover letter explaining documentary consistency and timeline

——————————————————–
Document Title: Council Tax Bill – Joint Residence Proof
Issued By: [Redacted – London Borough Council] Date: [Redacted] Excerpt: “This confirms joint council tax liability for [Redacted Address] between [Applicant Name] and [Partner Name] for the period
01 April 2022 – 31 March 2023.”
——————————————————–
Used As: Evidence of continuous cohabitation for ILR under Appendix FM.
——————————————————–

1. English Certificate Renewal:
   Our team secured a priority IELTS testing slot, ensuring Rajesh obtained a valid certificate before submission.
2. Document Consolidation:
   We cross-referenced tenancy agreements and utility bills to bridge minor date gaps, supported by a landlord’s verification letter.
3. Timeline Structuring:
   Evidence was arranged in chronological sequence and formatted per UKVI standards – a signature Conroy Baker Ltd. approach that minimizes caseworker queries.
4. Priority Submission:
   The ILR application was filed via UKVI’s Priority Service, ensuring early decision delivery before any document expiry could impact eligibility.

On 17 March 2025, Rajesh received confirmation of his Indefinite Leave to Remain approval. His application was approved without any Home Office follow-up requests.

Key Takeaways:

• Expiring documents (English tests, BRPs) must be renewed before ILR submission.
• Cohabitation proofs should cover 5 years with minimal gaps; use landlord letters to bridge missing months.
• Applicants should begin ILR readiness checks 6 months before eligibility date.
• Working with experienced London immigration lawyers ensures compliance with evolving Appendix FM evidentiary standards.

As Trusted UK Immigration & Business Lawyers based in London, Conroy Baker Ltd. offers strategic, evidence-driven support for spouse, partner, and family visa ILR applications. Our tailored approach ensures your relationship and residence history meet Home Office expectations with clarity, accuracy, and care.

Rajesh’s ILR success proves that meticulous documentation, early planning, and expert guidance make the spouse visa journey smooth and stress-free.
Every case carries emotional value – and our London immigration lawyers treat each one with the professionalism and empathy it deserves.

– ILR Eligibility Routes
– ILR Fees & Timelines 2025.
– Contact Our London Office.