Have read through the various other posts on the subject, and I am comfortable with the process and which documents & funds I require. I have one question, though, about when I should apply, as follows:

a) Non Imm O Visa is valid until 5th July 2010

z) Current entry stamp is valid until 21st August 2010

Must I apply before the visa expires (a) or within the final 30 days of the current entry stamp (z)?

I do not want to wait until the last month of the entry stamp only to be told that the visa has expired and thus can not be extended.

Thanks in advance.

Edited to remove the bloody automatic smileys that 'helpfully' changed the intended text!

Edited May 26, 201016 yr by OOB

You apply in the last 30 days of your permission to stay stamp. (Aug)

Your extension will start on the day your current permision to stay ends, so doing it early doesn't cost any days and gives you time in case you ned some extra documents.

You can apply for an extension at any time you have a valid visa stamp.

The day before it expires if you want.

When you apply for an extension it is either granted immediately, or you get an 'under consideration' stamp (usually 30 days) which allows you to stay until they finish their considerations. I don't know if the extension actually starts when they first stamp 'under consideration' or when they finish their considerations.

I'm on my second 'under consideration' ....... still waiting .....

Apply after 21st July.

Always a good idea to do as early as possible in case of any problems.

As said during last 30 days of a permitted to stay stamp.

Marriage extension of stay will always require an under review period - currently it is normal for this to be 30 days but could be less or more.