Timing of application around travel

[Allym87]

Hi all,

Long time reader. First time poster! Needing some guidance for my anxious mind!

I have been on 5 year flr(m), which expires 30apr22.
It was issued 16feb17, so I could technically apply now, as it’s 28 days before 5 years of that date.

My problem being I HAVE to travel abroad 16-23apr this year.

So if I apply now, I likely won’t have a decision by April, right? It’s really less than 3 months until I travel.

Or, I can come back and submit application on 23apr when I arrive back, but how quickly can I get an appointment? Do I need to have had the appointment by 30apr or is hitting ‘submit’ online enough to satisfy that my application is pending?

Thank you all for any guidance!

Ally

[CR001]

Date of application is the date you submit and pay online and not your biometric appointment,which can be after your visa expires.

What date did you enter the UK in a spouse visa (not fiance visa)? Your 5 years residence counts from date of entry , not initial visa issue date if you applied from abroad initially.

[Allym87]

Oh, that’s great news! Thanks! I was so worried I’d have to go for the appointment before visa expired and there’d be no availability!

I was actually already in the Uk, as met my husband whilst on a 2 year T5 working holiday visa (which doesn’t count toward my 5 year route).
So I assume it was ‘activated’ immediately then?

I will hit ‘submit’ and pay the moment I arrive back in the Uk on 23apr.

And now, just because my mind is racing… I can continue to work whilst decision pending, right?! I don’t lose that or access to healthcare etc? I’m sure not, but hey- let’s just put my mind at ease now. I’m going through IVF via NHS at the moment, so sudden fears of that being taken away!

[CR001]

Yes you can continue to work provided you submit an in time application.

You could apply now already an opt for super priority (decision within 24 hours after biomtrics), which is an extra £800 but is not a guaranteed service, so there is a risk

[secret.simon]

I’m going through IVF via NHS at the moment

IVF on the NHS for non British citizens and even British citizens not resident in the UK is chargeable in addition to the IHS (i.e. it is not covered by the IHS). See this thread for a discussion of healthcare and IVF in the UK for couples one of which is a migrant.

I suspect that IVF is not covered by the UK-Australian reciprocal agreement either.

You may want to check with your provider now whether you are covered for IVF in the UK at all and whether you may be charged for it separately.

It is possible that you may be billed for that years in the future, when the NHS is chased to find savings. See this thread for an instance of a surprised couple being billed years later for an IVF course that they had undertaken in the UK.