Dear Sir,

I am in UK as a work permit holder for the past 5 years and satisfy all the requirements to apply for permanent residency. But my problem is that my husband has not been able to pass the life in the UK test. He has attempted 4 times and has failed in all his attempts. I still have my visa for 1 more year and my husband is compelling to apply for PR on my own but I am worried as to what will happen to him when the current visa runs out. Could you please advise me on this?

Girija Birmingham.

Dear Girija,


If your husband is not confident to do the Life in the UK test he can undertake the ESOL skills for life Course route. This involves attending English for Speakers for Other Languages Course ( ESOL) with citizenship elements and after the successful completion of the course he would be assessed by an independent tutor and if he satisfies all the criteria will be awarded the certificate. This certificate is enough to apply for PR and British citizenship in UK. This is a good way by which people who are not able to do the Life in the UK test to get though the Knowledge of life in UK element of the settlement visa rule.

In your case either you can wait for your husband to qualify the ESOL exam and apply for PR together or apply for your Permanent residency now and let your husband apply for PR when he qualifies the ESOL certificate. This will involves an additional cost for you in paying the full Home Office fees for his application being £1250. If passes the course and applies along with you he only need to pay the dependant's fees of £350 for his application. Think about this with your husband and make a wise choice. ESOL courses are available in all parts of UK and just google it to find the nearest course provider in your area.


Paul John