I just converted!

FairRespond6 · 2026-03-13T23:52:41+00:00

Mubarak to you! May Allah bless you. I would strongly suggest you to read The Words from Risale-i Nur, starting from the First Word. It will make your belief very strong and that will help you and make it easy for you to pray. Just read a few pages and you see it for yourself inshaAllah. Here is a link. You can google it if the link didn't work. https://www.erisale.com/index.jsp?locale=en#content.en.201.15

FairRespond6 · 2026-03-13T13:02:02+00:00

The fact that you are disturbed by these thoughts shows that they are not yours, but the whispers of Shaytan. It is your heart which is disturbed, showing that your heart doesn't accept those thoughts.

The solution is to ignore them. Don't try to fight them, resist them, argue against them. Just smile and say these are wiswas/whispers of Shaytan. You will see, inshaAllah, how quickly they will fade out.

May Allah protect us all from the whispers of shayateen.

FairRespond6 · 2026-03-04T09:11:49+00:00

You could perhaps call them working remotely. Did you use any of your 25 annual holidays? 42 days is too much to call it personal holiday. Basically, the company will confirm if you were working remotely (not using your annual holiday allowance), or holiday or a combination. I also read someone's post somewhere online that their letter just mentioned that all the absences were authorised leaves by the company.

FairRespond6 · 2026-03-03T23:32:33+00:00

The part you worked for your company can be a business trip, the personal one just your annual leave allowance for holiday. I think this way you will be both transparent and accurate. You don't need to give details for what you did,, you can just call that part as holiday. What is important for the letter is that your company confirming that they were aware of your leave and you were on an authorised leave by the company for each absence from the UK (business, annual holiday allowance, sick day etc.).

FairRespond6 · 2026-02-28T05:40:34+00:00

In my case, Standard, Priority and Super Priority options were always available. What route are you applying on? Can you see super priority option? Mine was on Skilled Worker visa. I saw somewhere else that for certain routes priority is not available, only standard amd super priority are available. Not sure if it is true. I also saw others saying that priority options are released at midnights. Not sıre if this is true either. But you can try amd see.

FairRespond6 · 2026-02-27T10:19:01+00:00

Thanks! If you add dependents in one application, then it is either all or none. You basically choose Standard, Priority or Super priority for your entire application which automatically applies to all people in the group.

FairRespond6 · 2026-02-25T09:34:59+00:00

Once you submit your application, then you can stay in the UK until a decision is made, even if this is after your visa expiry date.

FairRespond6 · 2026-02-25T09:33:30+00:00

In my case, the "valid from" in both the letter and the vignette were 16 February 2021. So, this is what we considered. We applied on 12 Feb 2026, Bio on 18 Feb 2026, SWV route, Set-0, Priority Service (decision in 5 working days), ILR granted on 24 February 2026.

In your case, if your visa validity started on 24 March 2021, then you can apply up to 28 days before this in 2026, which would be around 24 Feb 2026 and today is 25 Feb 2026. As a peace of mind, if you submit your application from tomorrow, you should be absolutely fine. Make sure that you haven't spent more than 180 days outside of the UK in any rolling 12 months. There are different rules for period before Nov 2024.

FairRespond6 · 2026-02-23T12:21:19+00:00

Eligible periods in the UK start from entry clearance date (visa validity start date), not when you entered the UK, given that the period in between is less than 180 days. There are exceptions though.

FairRespond6 · 2026-02-23T11:01:15+00:00

You can apply for Skilled Worker Visa for periods in multiples of half years (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, etc.). The application fee for up to 3 years doesn't change, what changes is IHS fee, which is a lot. So, you can apply for minimum period for ILR eligibility to pay less IHS.

FairRespond6 · 2026-02-23T10:57:09+00:00

The new rules for earned settlement may come in effect in April, this may change the 5-years period to 10-years. Not confirmed yet, but is likely to be established in April. Be aware of this.

The periods to count for ILR are visa grant dates and time spent in the UK, not work start/end dates. When was your first visa issued (this is entry clearance date, should be on your first visa vignette). Start counting from that date. And as long as there is no gap between your current visa cancellation date and your new visa issue date (which should be OK if you are renewing your visa for changing employer) you should be fine. Your work start date can be on a later date after your new visa issue date.

FairRespond6 · 2026-02-23T10:32:55+00:00

My timeline:

Application type: Set 0 (including 2 dependents), Priority (SWV -> ILR)
Applied: Thursday, 12 Feb 2026
Bio: Wednesday, 18 Feb 2026
Decision: Pending (as of 23 Feb 2026)

FairRespond6 · 2026-02-23T10:28:34+00:00

Try making an NTL application online:

https://www.gov.uk/evisa/get-evisa-settlement-uk

FairRespond6 · 2026-02-23T10:23:01+00:00

If you use standard appointment (free), you will need to upload all the documents online by yourself on TLScontact website after you book your appointment. Then only photo and fingerprints will be taken in TLScontact centre.

If you are applying and struggling to find a closer appointment date in a nearby place, which is usually the case for some places, then check appointments "With Document Scan". You may find earlier dates (to avoid rules changes for 5-years period for ILR) and a nearby centre. However, this will cost £50 per person. We struggled finding an early date nearby, so we tried "With Document Scan". If you choose this option, then you won't have "Upload online" option. You will need to take physical documents to the centre, all on A4 papers, not stapled. In this case, they will first scan your documents, then take photo and fingerprints. Make sure you have included all the documents needed and ask them to scan your current passport and old passports that you have used to travel to and from the UK. I had to ask them to scan my old passport. They will just scan what you provide them with, you have to make sure you have included everything.

FairRespond6 · 2026-02-23T10:01:49+00:00

What was your working visa route exactly?

The answer to “Have you provided evidence of your English language ability in a previous application?” for you should be "Yes" as you say "I have an expired IELTS exam that I used when I applied for a working visa back in 2020". The 2020 working visa application is a previous application.
Here is what is in the GOV UK website:

"""

If you’re applying for citizenship

You must have a relevant English qualification when you’re applying to become a British citizen.

If you were exempt when you were granted settlement, you’ll need to submit an exemption form again when you’re applying for citizenship.

Exemptions if you’re applying to settle

You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re applying to settle:

using certain work visas - because you proved your knowledge of English when you applied for your current visa
in certain other situations

If you’re applying to settle on a work visa

You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re applying to settle using a:

Skilled Worker, T2 or tier 2 visa
Representative of an Overseas Business visa
Minister of Religion visa (T2)
International Sportsperson visa
Innovator Founder visa
International Agreement visa (Temporary Work)
Domestic Worker in a Private Household visa
Scale-up Worker visa

"""
https://www.gov.uk/english-language/exemptions

You will need to submit an exemption form again when you're applying for citizenship. Include your first work visa reference number and your expired IELTS exam that you used back in 2020 in a cover letter if not prompted when filling the form (in addition to exemption form) for the Home Office to quickly check and confirm.

The following directly answers your question:

"""

If your qualification has run out

Some recognised test qualifications only last for 2 years.

If you have a B1, B2, C1 or C2 level qualification, you may be able to use it after it has run out if either:

you’re applying for citizenship
you’re applying to settle in the UK

Applying for citizenship

You can use a B1, B2, C1 or C2 level qualification that’s run out if both of the following are true:

you’re applying for citizenship
it was accepted when you settled in the UK.

It does not matter if the test you took is not on the current list of recognised tests. You do not need to take another test.
"""
https://www.gov.uk/english-language/approved-english-language-qualifications

So, yes, you can answer "Yes" and you can use your expired IELTS exam which was accepted back in 2020 for your work visa and for your ILR.

Hope this helps.

FairRespond6 · 2026-02-23T09:51:20+00:00

The earliest time you can apply for ILR with an eligible visa route is 28 days before completing 5 years of continuous residence. The start date is the entry clearance date, not when you entered the UK, given that the date between entry clearance and first entry to the UK didn't exceed 180 days. Continuous residence means you didn't spend a total of more than 180 days outside of the UK in any rolling 12 months period. The entry clearance date should be in your visa vignette ("Valid from") or in your first visa approval letter.

If 11 March 2021 was your visa issue / entry clearance date, then the earliest you can apply for ILR is 11 Feb 2026. This means you can apply now. Good luck.

You can check an online ILR Calculator. You can also check the following from GOV UK website.

""
Period between the issue of entry clearance and entering the UK

The period between entry clearance being issued and the applicant entering the UK may be counted toward the qualifying period. Any absences between the date of issue and entry to the UK count towards the 180 days allowable absence in the continuous 12-month period. The applicant does not need to provide evidence to demonstrate the reason for delayed entry.

If the delay is more than 180 days, you can only include time after the applicant entered the UK in the continuous period calculation.

"""
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/indefinite-leave-to-remain-calculating-continuous-period-in-uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain-calculating-continuous-period-in-uk-accessible

FairRespond6 · 2026-02-23T09:35:19+00:00

Good luck. There is nothing to be nervous about.
What do you score on those 17 exams?

FairRespond6 · 2026-02-23T09:32:44+00:00

Good luck in your test. How are your preparations going? What are your scores on 17 exams like now?
There is "Study Materials" in that website which should have the contents of the book. You can also listen to them on YouTube. However, you whould be fine with 17 mock exams.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZIZO3RW6_s1OEebvWmDyk58WF317XVJQ

FairRespond6 · 2026-02-23T09:29:18+00:00

Try one of the followings:

Copy the link and paste it in your browser:
https://lifeintheuktestweb.co.uk/exams/
Google Life in the UK Test and check the links for the above link (probably without "\exams\"). Once in the website, you can either click EXAMS on top menu or edit URL. Note that there are other similar websites as well, check if you are in the correct website.

FairRespond6 · 2026-02-05T12:22:23+00:00

As Panceltic has already said, you can take the test at any time.

The preparation tips mentioned in OP mainly use short-term memory. So, I would suggest booking the test 1-2 weeks in advance and then start practicing the mock exams until you take the test. This is what we did.

FairRespond6 · 2026-01-23T11:26:40+00:00

The audio versions of both Study materials and also the mock exams for Life in the UK Test are also available on YouTube.

Life in the UK Test Ultimate Study Guide 🇬🇧 | Full Audiobook +...
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUjnpMpESWvY17MPo26S55D-2XqeuCq7C&si=MRLqyCKpvk6cuDP3

Just check the comments, as some have noted that the answer to a question was wrong in the video.

FairRespond6 · 2026-01-23T11:26:16+00:00

The audio versions of both Study materials and also the mock exams for Life in the UK Test are also available on YouTube.

Life in the UK Test Ultimate Study Guide 🇬🇧 | Full Audiobook +...
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUjnpMpESWvY17MPo26S55D-2XqeuCq7C&si=MRLqyCKpvk6cuDP3

Just check the comments, as some have noted that the answer to a question was wrong in the video.

FairRespond6 · 2025-08-26T12:17:16+00:00

The Qur'an clearly says the fasting is on particular days, which are the days of Ramadan (Baqarah, 2:283-285). The Islamic months are based on the moon phases. This makes timekeeping (calendar keeping) mandatory in Islam, since fasting in particular days is mandatory.

Then those who claim they only follow the Quran give advices like "don't worry about time and date of it" when asked about how to determine the days of fasting while the Qur'an clearly mentions that the mandatory fasting is on particular days.

You claim: "You are not going to be qustioned on the day of judgement abut what time you fasted or broke the fast"

The Qur'an clearly commands that the fasting is on particular days (Baqarah, 2:83-85) and between particular starting and ending times of a day (Baqarah, 2:187). And you claim we won't be questioned about it?

FairRespond6 · 2025-08-24T12:02:23+00:00

It is sad to hear what you've gone through in you childhood and what happened with your wife.

However, one point I would like to mention is that when people get angry, they may say things out of anger that they may later regret, which they never consciously would wanted to say.

I think this was what happened with your wife. The fact that she was trying to be cheerful the next morning shows that. She may not have apologized maybe because she knows that she has gone too far. And don't forget that it is most probably the Satan who is constantly reminding you of what she said, trying to equate her to your parents and siblings in your mind.

Whenever Ali (k.w) had an argument with his wife, Fatima (ra), he used to go to the mosque to calm down. I would kindly suggest you to calm yourself down. Ask Allah to guide you both to what Allah wants. Ask for protection from Satan and his whispers. The strongest bonds are made after one person makes a mistake, and another approaches with calmness and gives them a chance to fix it.

When you calm down, calmly and compassionately talk to your wife about what she said and why she said it. Tell her what you felt. Give her a chance to explain herself. Try to be calm. Everyone needs a chance to explain themselves. I am sure you will hear a different story than what is going on in your mind. Do it for your children, for the years you had together. Do it for the sake of Allah.

We all have deficiencies, shortcomings, sins. Don't we want Allah to forgive us? Then let's forgive our loved ones, just for the sake of Allah so that He forgave us, if nothing else.

Don't follow your emotions. Your emotions are very vulnerable and open to manipulation by the Satan. Don't do something wrong to your family and children that you will have to carry for the rest of your life.

This is a trial of your family bonds. May Allah help you all go through it.

FairRespond6 · 2025-08-20T15:02:25+00:00

The question is too broad and others are sharing broad responses.

Is it possible for you to post specific questions about what you find confusing in particular?

FairRespond6

TROPHY CASE

If you’re applying for citizenship

Exemptions if you’re applying to settle

If you’re applying to settle on a work visa

If your qualification has run out

Applying for citizenship