When to apply for a spouse visa extension in the UK?
If you are a foreign national living with your British or settled spouse in the UK and are on a UK Spouse Visa, you need to apply for an extension approximately 28 days before the initial grant of 2.5 years expires. In other words, you must apply for a spouse visa extension before the expiry of 2.5 years to avoid becoming an overstayer.
How long does a Spouse Visa last in the UK?
A spouse visa from outside the UK lasts for 33 months and from inside the UK for 30 months. Can I apply ILR after five years? Yes, if you have spent 5 years in the UK as a spouse / partner of a British or Settled person, you can apply for ILR. How long does the UK spouse visa take? UK Spouse visa processing can take anything between 3 to 6 months.
How can our immigration solicitors help extend my Spouse Visa?
Our immigration solicitors can make extending a UK spouse visa easier, with our complete project-managed service. We can help you gather the evidence needed to satisfy the requirements for this visa, so that you can stay for longer with your partner in the UK. Our Success Stories Request A Call From Our Immigration Solicitors Your Name(Required)
Can you extend leave to remain in the UK as a spouse?
Once in the UK with leave as a spouse, you can apply to extend this leave, providing that you meet the requirements set out in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. The requirements for further leave to remain in the UK as a spouse are broadly the same as those that apply to initial applications in the spouse visa category.
How soon can I apply for spouse visa extension?
It is advisable that you submit your spouse visa extension application within 28 days of the expiry of your leave.
How do I renew my UK spouse visa after 2.5 years?
You must extend/renew your visa under 5 years route from inside the UK by using the application form FLR (M) online prior to the expiry of your initial spouse visa. To make a successful application, you must meet all the Spouse visa extension requirements & submit all the supporting documents.
How much is spouse visa extension UK?
£1,048Spouse visa extension fees Application fee to renew a Spouse Visa UK is £1,048 for each person applying. Other costs include Health Surcharge: £624 per person per year (£470 per year for those under 18).
What documents do I need to extend my spouse visa UK?
What Documents do I need for a Spouse Visa UK Extension?Valid passport;Proof that your relationship is genuine/you remain in a genuine relationship;Evidence of meeting the financial requirement;Proof of meeting the English language requirement;Adequate accommodation.
How long does UK spouse visa extension take?
within 8 weeksSwitch to or extend a family visa You should usually get a decision on your visa within 8 weeks once you've applied online to switch to or extend as a: spouse or partner (if you're on a 5-year route to settlement) fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner.
How long is UK spouse visa valid for?
33 monthsDuration of a UK Spouse Visa If your application for a UK Spouse Visa is successful, your spouse visa will be valid for 33 months initially. If you apply for leave to remain in the UK as a spouse then you will be granted leave valid for 30 months.
Can I apply for ILR after 2.5 years?
Certain applicants can apply for ILR after 2 years, while the majority can do so after 5 years residence if all other requirements are met. There is also a 10-year route for people who lived in the UK lawfully for a continuous period of 10 years.
How much bank balance is required for UK spouse visa?
These rules contain a minimum income requirement of at least £18,600 or a cash savings requirement of at least £62,500 (or a combination of both). The amount required increases if relevant children are to be included on an application.
Which English test is required for UK spouse visa extension?
Applying to extend your visa after 2.5 years level A1, you'll need to pass at least level A2 in speaking and listening. level A2, B1, B2, C1 or C2, you can use the test result again for your application as long as your test certificate has not been withdrawn by the test provider.
What happens if my spouse visa expires in UK?
If you are a UK spouse visa holder and your period of leave is due to expire, you will need to apply for a spouse visa extension to remain in the country with your partner. The spouse visa extension application can be just as rigorous and demanding as your initial visa application.
What can be used as proof of relationship?
Proof of relationship is required, such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate.
How do you prove your relationship is genuine?
What documents can you use to prove your relationship?marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate.tenancy agreement, utility bills or council tax bills stating that you live at the same address or pay bills together.a bank statement from a joint bank account, or stating that you live at the same address.More items...•
Can I apply for ILR after 2.5 years?
Certain applicants can apply for ILR after 2 years, while the majority can do so after 5 years residence if all other requirements are met. There is also a 10-year route for people who lived in the UK lawfully for a continuous period of 10 years.
What happens if my spouse visa expires in UK?
If you are a UK spouse visa holder and your period of leave is due to expire, you will need to apply for a spouse visa extension to remain in the country with your partner. The spouse visa extension application can be just as rigorous and demanding as your initial visa application.
Can I renew my UK visa after it expires?
You're allowed to submit a visa application up to two weeks after the expiry date of your previous visa. However, this is only on the basis that you can provide evidence that you missed the original end date for an unavoidable reason.
How long before visa expires can I renew?
Do I need to apply for a new visa after my current visa expires or can I apply in advance? You do not have to wait until your current visa expires. You can apply for a new visa even if your current visa is valid.
How much does it cost to extend spouse visa?
It costs £1033 to apply to extend your spouse visa. Other costs will also apply, such as the Immigration Health Surcharge and the fee to submit you...
When can I apply for spouse visa extension?
You will need to apply for your spouse visa extension before your current visa is due to expire, usually this is within 28 days of the expiry date.
How do I extend my spouse visa UK?
You apply online by completing form FLR (M), and submitting evidence to prove you meet the visa requirements, including proof of qualifying relatio...
How long is the spouse visa valid for?
The spouse visa extension will allow you a further 30 months in the UK. At this end of this period of leave, your combined residency in the UK as a...
How to extend a spouse's visa?
If you do not meet the requirements for a spouse visa extension, you may still be able to apply to extend your permission to stay in the UK in the following circumstances: 1 there would be significant difficulties for you and your partner if you lived together as a couple outside the UK that could not be overcome. 2 you have a child in the UK who is a British citizen or has lived in the UK for 7 years and it would be unreasonable for them to leave the UK. 3 it would breach your human rights to make you leave the UK.
When can I apply for spouse visa extension?
You will need to apply for your spouse visa extension before your current visa is due to expire, usually this is within 28 days of the expiry date.
How much does it cost to extend spouse visa?
It costs £1033 to apply to extend your spouse visa. Other costs will also apply, such as the Immigration Health Surcharge and the fee to submit your biometric information.
How long is the spouse visa valid for?
The spouse visa extension will allow you a further 30 months in the UK. At this end of this period of leave, your combined residency in the UK as a spouse of 5 years will enable you to become eligible to apply for ILR.
How to apply for a visa online?
You apply online by completing form FLR (M), and submitting evidence to prove you meet the visa requirements, including proof of qualifying relationship, proof that you meet the financial requirement and proof you meet the English language requirement.
What is the requirement for a spouse visa extension?
To qualify for the spouse visa extension, you will need to prove that you are in a ‘genuine and subsisting’ relationship with your spouse who is either: a British citizen. someone who is present and settled in the UK, with either indefinite leave to remain or proof of permanent residence; or.
What level of English do you need to be to get a spouse visa?
English language requirement. Spouse visa extensions applicants will have to show they meet a standard of A2 level in English speaking and listening, under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. You can also prove your knowledge of English by taking an approved English language test in speaking and listening.
When should I apply for my UK spouse visa extension?
You will need to tender your application before the date that your visa terminates. We recommend submitting your request at least 28 days before the expiry of your leave to enable processing time.
When my original UK spouse visa expires, can I extend it?
Once you are settled in the UK, with leave as a spouse, you can apply for an extension.
What is a UK spouse visa?
A UK spouse visa is issued initially for two years and six months. Once this expires, you need to extend your visa to stay in the country.
What countries are covered by a visa?
The Common Travel Areas covered with your visa include the UK, Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man. If you travel outside any of these zones while your request is unresolved, then your request will be withdrawn.
How do I prove the language requirements for my extension application?
Spouse visa extension requests require evidence to show your English language proficiency has improved since your original visa application. This means that you may have to take another test when applying for an extension.
How do I make a spouse visa extension application?
The process for applying to extend a spouse visa is similar to the out-of-country process for spouse entry clearance applications .
How long does it take to get a spouse visa extension?
It is advisable that you submit your spouse visa extension application within 28 days of the expiry of your leave.
When can I apply for indefinite leave to remain as a spouse?
You will need to check whether you are on a five or ten year route to settlement.
When can I become a British citizen?
If you are married to a British citizen then , subject to satisfying a residence requirement, you can apply to naturalise as a British citizen as soon as you are granted indefinite leave to remain.
How long can you stay on a spouse visa?
Most people in the spouse visa category are on a five year route to settlement. Therefore, after two grants of 30 months’ grant of leave, you will be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain.
What is the required level for a spouse visa extension?
The required level for the test at the extension stage is A2 of the Common European Framework for References.
How long do you have to wait to get British citizenship?
If you are married to a non-British citizen, you will need to wait 12 months from the date of being granted indefinite leave to remain before you can apply for British citizenship. Again, you will also need to satisfy a residence requirement.
How to apply for a UK spouse visa extension?
You can apply for a UK spouse visa extension by completing an online Spouse visa extension form known as form FLR (M), You will be required to submit evidence showing you meet the spouse visa extension requirements, this includes; proof of qualifying genuine relationship, proof of financial requirement and proof English language test requirement.
What documents are needed to extend a spouse visa in the UK after 2.5years?
These spouse visa extension documents need to be submitted in their original forms.
What Are The Spouse Visa UK Extension Requirements For 2021?
If you have lived in the UK on a spouse visa for a certain period of time and your visa is about to expire, you can apply to have your spouse visa extended for another 2.5 years. You are eligible to apply for an Indefinite Leave to Remain ILR after the duration of your spouse visa renewal. You can also be qualified to apply for a British citizenship as an ILR holder, as long as you meet up with the conditions attached.
What Happens If Spouse Visa Extension/Renewal Is Refused?
Your spouse visa renewal can be refused for a number of reasons; for example, if you fail to meet the English language test requirement, fail to meet the minimum income threshold or have a non-genuine relationship. If your application is unsuccessful, you will receive a spouse visa extension refusal letter, this means you will be required to leave the UK within a couple of weeks. You can however ask for the decision on your visa application to be reviewed, this is known as a reconsideration request. This request can be made only if you believe the immigration rules or policies weren’t followed correctly when the decision was made.
How long does it take to get a UK visa extension?
It will be wise to ensure that you leave yourself plenty of time for a spouse visa extension application to be processed, as it can take 2 to 3 months for processing. You should factor in this processing time when considering making your spouse visa extension application. You should bear in mind that due to the documents required and the proof needed, you will need to keep significant documentation for several months, perhaps even years to satisfy the requirements of this category of UK visa extension.
How long do you have to live in the UK to get a spouse visa?
The documentary evidence is required to ensure that you have maintained your relationship in the 2.5 years that you have lived in the UK. This removes the possibility that you have moved into the country just to gain a Spouse Visa.
How long do you have to be in a marriage to extend your marriage?
You will have to provide evidence that you are still in a genuine relationship with your spouse/ partner, whether it’s a civil partnership or marriage for at least 2 years and wish to continue living with your partner throughout your extension period and beyond.
How long can a spouse stay in the UK?
Where an applicant has extant leave as a partner under the 5-year route at the date of application, any period of extant leave up to a maximum of 28 days, (excluding leave as a fiancé or fiancée or proposed civil partner), will be added to the period of leave that they are being granted under paragraph D-LTRP.1.1. An applicant with extant leave may get a UK spouse visa extension for slightly more than 30 months.
How many UK visa extensions were granted in 2008-17?
During 2008-17 a total of 254,226 extensions and leave to remain decisions made for a spouse, civil, unmarried, or same-sex partner visa under the family route. And 229,467 grants and 24,759 rejections. Accordingly, the average UK spouse visa extension refusal rate is 9.74% during the 10 years period. Certainly, the UK spouse visa extension refusal rate was highest (18.76%) in 2013. And afterwards gradually came down to its lowest ebb (4.96%) in 2017. During the preceding three years spouse extension refusal rate is below than the 10-year refusal rate of 9.74%. ( Table No. 3)
What is a refusal letter for a UK visa?
The refusal letter usually states the UK spouse visa refusal reasons under the 5-year route. And includes the reference to exceptional circumstances under the 10-year route and appropriate paragraphs with reference to rights of appeal.
What is the minimum income required for a UK spouse to stay?
(a) the applicant needs to meet the min income threshold. Accordingly, the applicant or UK sponsor/partner must earn a min annual income of £18,600.
What are the requirements for a 5 year leave to remain in the UK?
Under the 5-year route, the requirements to be met by an applicant for leave to remain as a partner of a British citizen, a person present and settled, or a person with refugee leave or humanitarian protection under paragraph R-LTRP.1.1. of Appendix FM are that the applicant and their partner must be in the UK and have made a valid application for limited or indefinite leave to remain as a partner. And the applicant must not fall for refusal under suitability and must meet the eligibility requirements relating to the relationship, immigration status, financial and English language.
Why is my marriage application not likely to be refused?
If a couple after marriage or forming a civil partnership have complied with any further investigation under the 2014 Act scheme, then the application is not likely to be refused because of the earlier non-compliance decision but may be refused if the decision maker is not satisfied that the couple are in a genuine and subsisting relationship.
When a proposed marriage or civil partnership is referred to the Home Office under the 2014 Act, then the Home Office?
When a proposed marriage or civil partnership is referred to the Home Office under the 2014 Act, then the Home Office have the grounds to suspect that marriage or civil partnership is a sham. And where the Home Office notifies the parties that either one or both have not complied with the investigation, then marriage or civil partnership will not be able to proceed based on that notice. Moreover, the Home Office records the details of such referral, non-compliance decision and any relating information or evidence.
