Holdenapple

Hi everyone

Does anyone know if you apply for a Vignette Transfer (extension by a month or two due to COVID-19) from VFS Global or online through the UK government.

My wife has a UK Ancestry Visa Vignette that expires on May 30, 2020. Applied from Toronto, Canada. Hopefully we can go late May and avoid the need for a transfer.

Thanks

BritInParis

You apply in the same way you applied for the UK Ancestry visa. You can only apply after the existing visa has expired.

Holdenapple

Thanks BritInParis

Do you think, just in your opinion, there would be any issues extending it from May to July once VFS reopen given the circumstances?

Kind Regards

BritInParis

There’s a strong possibility of processing delays. Your wife may then fall short of the five years she requires for ILR. As such I travel before her current vignette expires if at all possible.

Holdenapple

We are trying haha. Booked the last possible flight in May.

But if we did need to extend the vignette a month, there would not be any reason to deny the extension?

BritInParis

All things being equal, no.

Holdenapple

Thanks so much for advice. Always appreciated.

Obviously we would rather just enter the UK within the vignette time frame. Would there be an issue with my wife flying to the UK on her own, picking up her Biometric Card from the post office, returning to Canada on the same day, then we all fly back to the UK together in July permanently.

I am aware of the ILR timelines, just wondered if UK Customs would have an issue with the above especially since you are only supposed to leave your house in the UK for essential reasons.

BritInParis

That would be a solution, providing the BRP is waiting for your wife.

Holdenapple

That is what we are looking at right now. We have a letter from Home Office saying the BPR is waiting at the post office.

Just worried about annoying the customs officers in the UK as it being a legitimate reason for traveling and being outside under the current restrictions. Hopefully by May 30th they will have been slightly eased.

Kind Regards

Holdenapple

Can I ask why we would both need to travel as it is a UK Ancestry Visa not a spousal or sponsorship.

Kind Regards

BritInParis

You don't. Ignore that post. Your wife won't be stopped at Immigration because of the lockdown. She should however ignore the signs telling her to use the ePassport gates and queue for a stamp on her vignette instead to ensure she has proof of when she first arrived in the UK on her UK Ancestry visa.

Holdenapple

Thanks BritInParis

Always appreciate your great advice.

Kind regards