mentalist

We successfully obtained Temporary Leave To Stay for my spouse in Jan 2016 which lasts until Oct 2018. We have now been here in the UK together since then. How do we now extend that for another two and a half years? The forms I have seen only appear to relate to the initial application enabling her to enter the UK. Any idea of the time scale as she presumably needs another English language test? Your help would be most welcome.

BritInParis

Your wife will need to apply for Further Leave to Remain. The application can be made online or on paper. The financial requirements will have to be met again, difference being that both your incomes can now be included if required. Depending on how she met the English language requirement previously she may need to take an English language test.

https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa

spouse of scouse

The visa your spouse needs to apply for is Further Leave To Remain - FLR(M) under the category family life as the partner of a person present and settled in the UK (5 year route)
This link will explain the requirements https://www.gov.uk/government/public...tner-form-flrm

spouse of scouse

Looks like we're both working through our afternoon smoko

mentalist

Many thanks for your help guys. It looks like the EARLIEST we can apply for an extension is only 28 days before her existing permission to stay expires. However, the application process takes 8-12 weeks, which seems rather odd. Presumably she will need to take another English language test, as she had to take one for her initial application.

BritInParis

Nothing very odd about it. Providing the application is lodged before her visa expires she can remain in the UK until a decision is made. Apply too soon and she won't have accumulated five years residence in order to apply for ILR at the end of this visa.

She needed a CEFR A1 test for the initial visa; she'll need a CEFR A2 test for this visa. There's more information at the link I gave you.

mentalist

Thanks for the helpful explanation, BritInParis.

mentalist

Any idea why they only printed a UK Entry Visa in my wife's passport? Although it was valid until Feb 2016, she got a Resident Permit Card valid until Oct 2018 when it has to be renewed. My query concerns the passport entry which doesn't mention her right to stay for so long, merely her right to enter which has now elapsed. Although UK Immigration staff would probably recognise the validity of the card, won't it confuse passport checking officers in (say) Spain or Greece and cause unwanted hassle in the passport queue? As a result, we have dared not leave the UK but could really do with a sunshine break soon.

BritInParis

What passport does your wife hold?

mentalist

Kenyan

BritInParis

In that case your wife would be best to apply for a Schengen visa. She should submit her BRP with her application.

mentalist

My wife has passed the A2 language test, so now we simply need to apply for the visa extension. Sadly, after moving home twice, we appear to have mislaid the govt gateway reference and password. The gov website says it does not recognise the details we have submitted. We do have the BRP card with its reference number. Can we use that to enable them to trace our initial successful visa application?

BritInParis

Not sure you’re applying via the correct website? You can also apply by post.

https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa/partner-spouse

mentalist

Thanks for the advice. So I need to print out the 79 page FLR(M) Application Form and send it with supporting documents to The Home Office, Leave to Remain - FLR(M), PO Box 495, Durham, DH99 1WR no earlier than 28 days before expiry of the exising visa?

BritInParis

If you wish to apply by post.