CoffeeAndRichTea

Hi there,

First off, thanks for all the help received in the last few months, the knowledge some of you have is invaluable.

My fiancée will be applying for her fiance visa from her home country very soon.

We have a few queries:

1) At which point does the 6-month visa begin - is it the day she arrives in the UK, or the day we go to collect the BRP, or the day she receives visa confirmation in the post?

2) We are trying to work out when we need to make the application for the Spouse visa when she's here in the UK. I'm of the understanding that as long as we apply before the fiance visa expires, she can stay in the UK for as long as it takes to receive confirmation. At which point does this extended period start - is it the day of the online application? For example, her fiance visa expires 1st May - if she submits the online application on the 30th April (we wouldn't actually cut it this fine..) this will grant her permission to stay immediately? Or should the online application be made a week before expiry? Or does this permission to stay begin when she has the biometric appointment, i.e. this needs to be booked in before the fiance visa expiry date?

3) If shes granted permission to stay past her fiance visa expiry date and the spouse visa application is unsuccessful, what happens? Does she have to leave immediately?

4) what's the general waiting time for a spouse visa biometric appointment in the UK?

Many thanks

BritInParis

1) No BRP for a fiancée visa. The six month validity period is the start and end date on the vignette.

2) You need to submit the online application for FLR(M) after you marry and before the fiancée visa expires. Your then-wife can remain in the UK until a decision is made.

3) She’ll be given 14 days to appeal, lodge a new application or leave the country.

4) Varies but count a week to two weeks depending on your location, the time of year and whether you are willing to pay for an appointment slot.

CoffeeAndRichTea

Thank you very much, BritInParis.