How long is the UK Settlement Visa valid once issued?

[lisu]

Hi,

 

Another stupid question, and my profuse apologies if this has been answered before.

 

Once my Wife has received the UK Settlement visa, how long do we have until we have to use/activate it before it becomes invalid? I.e. when I get a Type 'O' (marriage) visa from the Thai embassy, I have a year from the issue date in which to use it. Presumably, there is a time limit on UK Settlement visas too, but how long? I haven't been able to find any information regarding this on the UKBA's preposterously labyrinthine website.

 

The reason I ask, is as per a previous thread/question I opened, I also have to renew our Daughter's UK passport, and I'm worried that with all the problems the new "streamlined" system is having (they haven't even replied back confirming an appointment for her passport renewal yet!), my wife will receive her Visa, but it will become invalid before we receive our Daughter's new UK passport...!

 

Bureaucracy = major stress :(

 

My apologies once again if this is a stupid question, and thank you kindly for any information - you have all be incredibly helpful and patient with my n00b questions.

[MaprangHolmes]

It will be for 33 months 

 

https://www.gov.uk/join-family-in-uk/extend-your-visa

[lisu]

Thanks. So, theoretically, we could be issued with the visa next month, then travel to the UK next year and my Wife would still get a 2 year "stamp"?

[7by7]

No.

The initial visa will be valid for 33 months; and this 33 months begins on the day it is issued; unless a specific start date was requested in the application.

However, after 30 months residency in the UK, the holder applies to extend their stay (Further Leave to Remain) for a further 30 months and at the end of this second period they apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

 

Thus satisfying the 5 years residency required for ILR.

 

This gives the holder 3 months in which to sort out their affairs and move to the UK.

 

If their move is delayed for longer than this, then when their initial visa expires they still apply for FLR but this will expire before they have lived in the UK for 5 years so they wont qualify for ILR. Therefore they will need to apply, and pay, for another FLR to make up the missing time.

[MaprangHolmes]

The visa lasts for 33 months they give you 3 months to get your affairs in order before you leave Thailand, your wife would need to spend 30 months in the UK and then apply for FLR which would be for another 30 months 5 years in total she would then be able to apply for ILR.

[lisu]

OK, thanks very much for the information - so basically, it'll probably be better to wait until we have our Daughter's new UK passport before applying for the visa - or at least wait a couple of weeks after applying for the passport renewal.

 

I guess they won't be going to school when the school year starts in September. This sucks.

 

Thanks again :)

[7by7]

Up to you, but:

• Settlement visa processing times in Bangkok can be three months plus. Click here for the latest (May) figures..
• Your wife can request a specific start date up to 3 months in advance; in which case the visa will be valid from this date or it's date of issue, whichever is the later.
• Whatever the start date, your wife will have three months in which to move to the UK.

In your position, I'd put her application in now; even if she receives her visa in record time, she'll still have 3 months in which to move to the UK and your daughter should have her new passport by then.

 

Regardless of your daughter's passport situation; to get your wife's settlement visa in time for you all to move to the UK in time for the start of the school year, she should have applied at least a month ago!

Edited June 30, 2014 by 7by7

[lisu]

Thanks again for your patience, and detailed replies - the information is hugely appreciated, and you've been far more helpful the the FCO/UKBO etc.!

 

So, hypothetically if we specify a start date, say 2 months in advance, and it takes a month to process, that would effectively give us 5 months - although obviously, we wouldn't be able to move to the UK until that start date.

 

Given the current backlog and delays with the UK passport office, I'm not convinced that they will process it in less than 6 weeks. Anyway, that's a whole other headache even trying to get them to book an appointment - no-one seems to be replying form their email address.

 

Thanks again :)

[7by7]

So, hypothetically if we specify a start date, say 2 months in advance, and it takes a month to process, that would effectively give us 5 months - although obviously, we wouldn't be able to move to the UK until that start date.

 

Indeed.

[Basil B]

As I recall a few weeks ago when the problem arose over the passport delay there was talk of extending passports by one year and Emergency Travel Documents for children.

 

https://www.gov.uk/get-an-emergency-passport-extension-or-child-travel-document

[pasak]

Hi,

 

I couldn't find the exact thread for my questions but this was close so have posted here.

My wife and I have slowly but surely assembled what we believe to be all the necessary supporting documents for the application (English A1 certificate, TB test, bank statements, evidence of relationship, supporting letters, UK accommodation etc etc) so this morning we completed and saved the UKBA Settlement Visa application online.

Before we submit our application I would like to ask members a few questions.

1. Do I, as sponsor and spouse, need to complete an SU07 form and how is this done?

2. What happens once I (click) 'submit' the application?

3. When do I pay the money and how? I'm guessing that a window will pop up after I click 'submit' asking me for a handsome sum of money. I have a UK Visa Debit Card. Will that be an acceptable method for payment? 

4. I believe the Bangkok address for the UK Visa application centre has changed from Regent House, Rajdamri Road to Trendy Office Building, Sukhumvit 13. Is this correct?

5. I have not been asked anything about my financial status. Is there some other form that should be completed in addition to my wife's online application and if so, where is that form?

6. What is the process and timescale after I submit my application? We are planning on flying together to the UK on 5th November 2014.

 

Thanks in advance.