A quick question about the spouse visa
Oct 1st 2013, 4:51 am
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 30
A quick question about the spouse visa
Hello,
I'm British and I'm bringing my American wife to England next year to live. My question is how long does her visa last once she gets it? I only ask as I'm wondering if we should apply now (we're going over in July) or wait until nearer the time. I don't want it to expire and wasn't sure if there was a time frame for her to use it.
Cheers,
Jon
I'm British and I'm bringing my American wife to England next year to live. My question is how long does her visa last once she gets it? I only ask as I'm wondering if we should apply now (we're going over in July) or wait until nearer the time. I don't want it to expire and wasn't sure if there was a time frame for her to use it.
Cheers,
Jon
Oct 1st 2013, 7:17 am
#2
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 361
Re: A quick question about the spouse visa
Hello,
I'm British and I'm bringing my American wife to England next year to live. My question is how long does her visa last once she gets it? I only ask as I'm wondering if we should apply now (we're going over in July) or wait until nearer the time. I don't want it to expire and wasn't sure if there was a time frame for her to use it.
Cheers,
Jon
I'm British and I'm bringing my American wife to England next year to live. My question is how long does her visa last once she gets it? I only ask as I'm wondering if we should apply now (we're going over in July) or wait until nearer the time. I don't want it to expire and wasn't sure if there was a time frame for her to use it.
Cheers,
Jon
You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before your date of travel to the UK. Applications received more than 3 months before your date of travel will be returned without a visa and without a refund of the application fee. You will then need to submit a new application and to re-enrol your biometric information at the appropriate time.
Once the visa has been granted, it's valid for two and a half years, she must then apply for FLR to take her to the 5 year requirement for ILR.
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/vi...cp/settlement/
Oct 1st 2013, 10:00 am
#3
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,396
Re: A quick question about the spouse visa
I believe it is still possible to request for the visa start date to be deferred by up to 3 months, which would be based on the date of decision. This gives slightly more time, however it isn't guaranteed that the visa will be deferred.
Oct 1st 2013, 3:34 pm
#4
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 30
Re: A quick question about the spouse visa
Thanks so much. 3 months isn't long because if takes 4 weeks to get the visa, then you only have 2 months to get organised and move! Another ridiculous rule. Thanks.
Oct 1st 2013, 4:00 pm
#5
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 361
Re: A quick question about the spouse visa
You can arrive in the UK at any time up until the 'valid until' date, but remember that this is also the last day that you are permitted to stay in the UK.
You should aim to enter within 3 months of the issue date though, to avoid having to apply for an extra FLR along the way.
