If you are planning to settle in the UK as the husband, wife or partner of a British citizen or someone who is settled here, we can check that your application form and documents are correct.
Our service helps you to get your application correct first time and avoids unnecessary delays.
Our staff are trained and registered to check and forward your application to the UK Border Agency. Valuable important documents, such as your spouse or partner’s passport, marriage and birth certificates, will remain in your safekeeping. Your and your dependant’s original passport(s) and travel documents will be despatched to the UK Border Agency via secure mail.
They will photocopy and certify your valuable documents so they remain in your safe keeping.
Who can use the service?
You can only use the settlement checking service if you are applying on form SET(M) for settlement in the UK as the husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried/same-sex partner of a British citizen or someone who is settled here.
Booking an appointment
You need to book an appointment with the Leeds Registration Service in time to submit your application 28 days before your existing leave expires.
Contact the Leeds Registration Service on 0113 2224408 or email register.office@leeds.gov.uk
What checks are carried out
During the appointment, we will
- check your application is complete and that it includes all the required supporting documents
- check that the correct fee has been paid
- inform the applicant of any unacceptable documents or documents over and above the UK Border Agency requirements
- make certified copies of the partner or spouse’s passports, travel documents and supporting documents for enclosure with the application (returning originals to the partner or spouse).
- make certified copies of the applicant and dependant(s) passport, travel documents and supporting documents for enclosure with the application along with the original documents (the vignette will be inserted into passport(s) to show the appropriate grant of leave).
- submit the checked and complete application to the UK Border Agency via secure mail.
What should I bring to my appointment?
When you telephone to book an appointment, our advisors will tell you what you must bring with you. Information on the documentation required to support a SET(M) application can also be found in the form and guidance notes available on the
- You and your partner must attend the settlement checking service appointment in person. If you have children under 18 years old, they do not have to be present.
- You must bring the following documents with you
- Completed SET (M) application form.
- Life in the UK Test pass notification or ESOL certificate and college letter.
- All the necessary documents as explained in the application form and guidance notes.
- Your payment details for the SET (M) application fee (payable to the Home Office).
Fee
The settlement checking service fee is £90, inclusive of VAT for adults. Minors are included as dependents on the adult application. The fee is non-refundable.
The fee is charged in addition to the SET (M) application fee charged by the UK Border Agency.
On booking an appointment the full fee is required. If you need to cancel or amend your appointment for any reason, please give at least two working days notice otherwise we will be unable to consider a refund your checking service fee.
Advice about settlement
We cannot provide advice on settlement matters. You should contact the Immigration Enquiry Bureau on 0870 606 7766. Lines are open from 9am to 4.45pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 4.30pm Friday (excluding Public holidays).
Will my application be dealt with more quickly?
The settlement checking service is not a priority or premium service, although applications submitted through the service are quicker to process than postal applications. We also offer a checking service for nationality applications and the UK Border Agency has found that applications received via our nationality checking service are generally quicker to process as fewer cases are rejected or delayed due to incompleteness or missing documents. It is anticipated that settlement checking service will have similar effects on case processing times for SET(M) applications.
Do I have to use the settlement checking service?
- The service is completely optional for applicants.
Does using the service guarantee that an application will be successful?
Using the service does not guarantee that an application will be successful and the UK Border Agency may still have to make further enquiries when considering a settlement application.
If you wish to comment or complain about this new service, you can
Tell the service manager, Mr Steve Coupe, or the Council Feedback team. You can do this either by completing a Leeds City Council complaints form, which you can pick up from reception or by emailing Complaints@leeds.gov.uk or by telephoning 0845 129 0113 or by writing to: Freepost RLZR-ELTX-RUEH, Leeds City Council, PO Box 657, LS1 9BS
Alternatively, you may if you wish write directly to
The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner, Complaints Section, Fifth Floor, Counting House, 53 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QN.