Flr Appointment

[mermot]

In May, my fiancee and I will be applying for the FLR immediately after our marriage here in the UK. We intend to do this in person at our local BIA office. Can anyone advise when is the earliest they would permit us to make an appointment? Would the BIA insist that we must be married first?

Thanks

Mermot

[the scouser]

You can make an appointment before you are married for a date after you will be married. Just phone up the central booking number and select a date at the PEO of your choice.

Scouse.

[mermot]

I called the BIA call centre with the intention of making an appintment. However, I was advised that they would NOT permit me to make a booking now and we would have to call AFTER we are married. I asked this question twice to ensure the question wasn't being misinterpreted but she replied with the same answer. Scouser - do you know why this would be? Has there been a change in the regulations?

We were hoping to get the FLR granted within two weeks of the wedding but the local PEO (Birmingham) is currently solidly booked three weeks ahead so it looks like we will either have to wait longer or, as advised, travel to Croydon or Liverpool

Thanks

[the scouser]

There's no reason why they can't give you an appointment now for a date after your marriage. Just phone 'em up again and this time just book a date without telling them why you want it. They may not, however, release dates in May until nearer the time, so perhaps phone up towards the end of April.

Scouse.

[mermot]

It looks like the BIA have changed the procedure when booking a PEO appointment. I contacted them again and this time spoke to a different advisor. I was advised that to make an appointment it is necessary to have a number of documents in front of me. I need the new (29/2) FLR(M) form (no problems with this), the marriage certficate (oops, tried to book it in advance!) and the same supporting documentation (payslips and bank statements) that we would be taking to the PEO. As it transpired I rang a week or two early to book an appointment for May (Scouse, you as always are correct). I think now I will leave the booking until after we are married as I don't want any problems later in case the BIA notice the inconsistencies in the marriage date given at the booking and later when they read the marriage certificate.

Has anyone else experienced similiar problems when making an appointment for a FLR(M)?

Mermot