Hi Guys

A quick run down on our situation;

We married in August 2005 and then applied for FLR which runs out at the end of August 2007. We are about to send the application to the Home Office for a further 2 year FLR ( My wife hasn't passed ESOL 3 and doesn't know enough English yet to sit the " Life in the UK test " just yet ) and then during this 2 year, 2nd time round FLR period apply for the ILR.

Anyway, few days ago my wife's mother in Thailand became ill and had a " routine " operation which has now very unfortunatley turned out more serious and my wife may have to go there in the next few days to see her.

So, the situation is we won't have time to do the postal application for the further FLR as my wife's passport has to be sent to the Home Office for this. If my wife doesn't return back to the UK before the original visa expires at the end of next month then I assume she cannot gain entry to the UK.

I have contacted the Home Office today and explained the situation, they suggested that we apply in person at the Home Office for the extended FLR before she goes to Thailand however, the earliest appointment they have is the 13th August ? They also said that if she doesn't do the extended FLR before she leaves the UK she would then have to apply in Bangkok for a new visa to gain entry back to the UK. I only had a few minutes to speak to the person at the Home Office today as I called at 4.40pm and they close at 4.45pm.

Question I would like to ask is what would be the visa that she would have to apply for in Bangkok if she had to ? How difficult and long winded would it be ? Is there another choice that I am not thinking of ? Can we apply to the Home Office for an extended month or so to my wife's existing visa under these circumstances ?

I would appreciate any help.

Thank you

Clive Sorts

Clive

It's as the HO tells it, if her current leave to remain expires when she is out of the country she will not get entry into UK. She will have to apply for a settlement visa all over again, the chances are it will be granted if you mention the circumstances in a covering letter but it's £500 and the hassel of giving all the evidence as when you first applied so if you could extend it before she leaves UK it would be far more satisfactory and cheaper.

A settlement visa can be granted in 4 days if no interview is required but she will have to go in person now.

Clive

It's as the HO tells it, if her current leave to remain expires when she is out of the country she will not get entry into UK. She will have to apply for a settlement visa all over again, the chances are it will be granted if you mention the circumstances in a covering letter but it's £500 and the hassel of giving all the evidence as when you first applied so if you could extend it before she leaves UK it would be far more satisfactory and cheaper.

A settlement visa can be granted in 4 days if no interview is required but she will have to go in person now.

Hi Mahout

Thank you for your reply.

In your second paragraph you mention " visa can be granted in 4 days..... ", this I assume is in Bangkok whilst she is over there ?

Thanks

Clive Sorts

In your second paragraph you mention " visa can be granted in 4 days..... ", this I assume is in Bangkok whilst she is over there ?

Clive

Yes this is an application at UK Visas in Bangkok . It seems you are well aware of what you must do whilst in UK but cannot make the time schedule.

When you say that the Home Office public enquiry unit is fully booked until 13 August, I presume you mean the one in Croydon? If you've got the inclination to do a bit of travelling, you may consider seeing if those offices in Solihull, Liverpool, and Glasgow have earlier appointments. Alternatively, on the assumption that your wife can make it back to the U.K. two or three days before her current status expires, she will have enough time to immediately lodge a postal application. However, any delay in the timetable could fundamentally undermine her status in the U.K. The third option is to bite the bullet and apply for a new visa at the embassy in Bangkok at a cost of £500.00 plus the TB test.

Best of luck,

Scouse.

Thanks Scouse, you have shed some light on further options we have.

Latest today is that her Mums condition has improved and hospital are monitoring her. We have appointment mid August at HO Croydon for 2nd time FLR.

God forbid something happens in between now and our appointment then we will have to apply the long way round for her visa, from the Bangkok route.

Thanks to you both.

Regards

clive sorts