Applying For A Uk Family Visa 2-3 Months Before Travelling

[rawhod]

We will be applying for a family visa for a 5 month visit to the UK.

We will be applying later this month, with the intention of travelling to the UK about 3 July, ie. applying between 2 & 3 months before travelling.

We will require the visa to be issued for use not before 1 July?

Our last visa application was made about 12 months ago. We intended staying in the UK for 3 months, and stated our proposed travel dates on the application. When we collected the visa, it had been dated for use from the date of processing, ie 2 months before our travel dates. This was no problem last year because it covered the duration of our visit with 1 month to spare.

This time, I intend renewing my retirement extension (1 month before expiry) on 13 June, and renewing my Thai driving licence on 24 June. So our travel dates are pretty-well fixed as early July.

If the visa comes back as last year dated for use from the date of processing, we will not get the 5 months.

How can we ensure that the ECO is fully aware of the requirement for a 1 July start date?

[Upnotover]

The visa will always be dated when it is issued. But it is valid for ENTRY into the UK anytime within its validity, it does not need to cover time spent in the UK.

[VisasPlus]

The guidance to ECOs says:

ECB9.5 What if applicant is not intending to travel straight away to the UK

The ECO should check the applicant's visa application form (VAF) for the proposed date of travel in order to prevent unnecessary applications for an extension of stay, and possible claims for a refund of the extension fee.

Where an applicant may not intend or be able to travel to the UK immediately following their application they can apply for a visa at any time before the date of travel to the UK, however, we can only defer the start date of the visa up to a maximum 3 months from the date of application.

You can, therefore, request that the visa start date is deferred up to any date within 3 months from the date of application. To do this:

First, put the date that you intend to travel in the appropriate answer on the application form.

Second, write a covering letter/note to be attached to the front of the application form. requesting that the visa start date is.................. ( whatever). Keep a copy. If the visa is not issued with the requested start date, contact the Embassy and insist that the visa start date is amended.

Mention the deferred start date in your supporting letter too. Keep a copy.

Edited April 3, 2012 by VisasPlus

[7by7]

The visa will always be dated when it is issued. But it is valid for ENTRY into the UK anytime within its validity, it does not need to cover time spent in the UK.

A standard visit visa is valid from the date it is issued unless, as VP says above, a later date is requested in the application.

Whatever the start date it is not valid for 6 months in the UK, it is valid for 6 months from the start date. It can be used to enter the UK at anytime during it's validity, but if the holder is still in the UK beyond it's expiry date then they will be an overstayer and so in the UK illegally; even if they have actually spent less than 6 months there.

Visit visas with a validity of longer than 6 months are available, but the holder can still only spend a maximum of 6 months in the UK per visit and, usually, 6 months out of any twelve in the UK; though this latter is not a hard and fast rule.

It cannot be stressed too much that if requesting the start date be post dated; check this immediately upon receipt of the visa and if it's wrong contact the embassy immediately. Mistakes can be difficult to rectify later.

Edited April 3, 2012 by 7by7

[rawhod]

Thank you VisaPlus...

I presume from what you are saying, you cannot stay in the UK beyond the valid "until" date on the visa. ie. "Upnotover" is not correct

The previous visa had:-

Valid for UNITED KINGDOM

From 16/05/11 Until 16/11/11

....C..........MULTI.......Period of stay 180 days

Did this mean that my wife (then gf) had to exit the UK before the 16/11/11 whether or not she had completed 180 days.

edit...and thank you 7x7

Edited April 3, 2012 by rawhod

[7by7]

The previous visa had:-

Valid for UNITED KINGDOM

From 16/05/11 Until 16/11/11

....C..........MULTI.......Period of stay 180 days

Did this mean that my wife (then gf) had to exit the UK before the 16/11/11 whether or not she had completed 180 days.

Correct.

A visitor must leave the UK on or before the 'Until' date on their visa (or if they hold a longer term visit visa, after a maximum of 6 months).