My retirement stamp expires on 31 January 2020,

Having recently married my long time partner I propose to change to long term stay based on marriage.

I was advised by my local Immigration Office to keep my current status until nearer the expiry date albeit I was free to change whenever I chose,

From reports I have read on this forum it is taking an average of 8 weeks to get an answer.

I understand that an extension of the current status of 30 days is normally granted.

 

Questions:

1.   Is the 30 day extension effective from date of application or from the day following the expiry date of retirement stamp?

2.   Should the extension expire before an answer is received, would I be granted a further extension or would I have to leave the country and return on a new visa?

 

Need to get my 'ducks in a row' before it gets too late!

 

Many thanks

 1. You do not get a 30 day extension. You are given a under consideration stamp with a report back date on it 30 days from the date you apply or from the end of your current extension dependent upon where you apply for the extension.

2. The under consideration stamp allows you to stay in the country until the extension application is approved. The report back date is just that it does not end the under consideration period.

How long it actually takes for the approval depends upon how long your local office takes to submit the application to the division headquarters over them and how busy the division headquarters takes to do the approval.

Thank you UJ - I now understand the procedure,