Hi,

Just wondering how long a settlement visa is valid for. My understanding is that you submit your application within 3 months before you plan to go. All going well, they then issue a visa and you have 3 months from the day they issue it, currently around 2 months after application, to enter the UK. Is this correct?

Cheers

If you applied under the old rules, i.e. before 9th July, then the visa will be valid for 27 months. The residential qualification for ILR is 24 months. So you have up to three months in which to travel to the UK and take up residence.

If applying under the new rules, i.e. on or after 9th July, the visa will be valid for 33 months. To apply for the first extension you need to have been living in the UK for 30 months so, again, you have up to three months in which to travel to the UK and take up residence.

In both scenarios the visa will be valid from the date of issue or the date you requested, whichever is the later. If you did request that it be postdated you cannot enter the UK until the valid from date at the earliest.

Also, in both scenarios you do not have to wait until the visa expires before making the next, in UK application. You can do this as soon as you have spent the required minimum time living in the UK; actually you can do so up to 28 days before this.

That is for settlement as a spouse or partner. If you applied as a fiance or prospective civil partner then the visa will be valid for 6 months from the date of issue, or your requested date if later, and during that time you travel to the UK and register your marriage. Once you have done this you apply for Further Leave to Remain, which will be valid for 24 months if you come under the old rules or 30 months under the new.

Thanks for that!