Settlement application timing

[Brownmoses]

I'm currently planning to marrying my Turkish fianance in Istanbul in August, and I've just been told by this by the visa office:

Once you are married, you can make a settlement application as a spouse. When the application is received by the Consulate in Istanbul, we usually give you an interview date. Settlement applications received today are being given interview dates for the end of July at present. The queue is due to a heavy work load, so please apply well inadvance if you have any plans. For application forms and information on how to apply, please refer to our website www.visainfoservices.com

Now I'm unclear if I can apply now and have the assesement completed for after we are married, or we have to wait until we are married. If that's the case is there anyway my partner could come to the UK after we are married instead of having to stay in Turkey for 2 months until the application is reviewed?

[vinny]

If she applies for a spouse entry clearance before a valid marriage, then there is a danger of the application being refused or being incorrectly granted the Fiancé(e) entry clearance.

[John]

Vinny, I think that depends upon the policy at the particular British Mission. Some will accept an application for a spouse visa, prior to the date of marriage, as long as a covering letter fully explains that the marriage has not yet happened, but will happen on (date), and could they kindly allocate an interview date after that date.

I know this because that was exactly what we did back in 2001 in Bangkok (although the procedure there has now changed, so it doesn't work there now). So at a time when there was about an 8 week wait for interviews for spouse visas, my wife's interview was just 2 weeks after the marriage, thanks to the interview being allocated prior to the marriage actually happening.

[vinny]

Agree that it may be possible. However, as John mentioned, a good covering letter is vital to prevent any possible confusion. If the spouse entry clearance application is successful, then always check that the correct entry clearance endorsement, with the appropriate effective date, had been issued.

[Brownmoses]

Thanks for the help, we'll make an application with a covering letter and hope it works out for the best.

[Brownmoses]

We've started to look at the form, and most of it looks okay, I've got two questions though:
1) It asks if she's single or married. Should we put single as she's not married yet, or married because it's for after we are married?
2) In another section is asks when we were married, should I put when we will marry?

Thanks again for your help.

[John]

Using your numbering :-

1. What we did back in 2001 was to enter "Married" and then say something like "see accompanying letter"
2. Put the date of the expected marriage and again refer to the accompanying letter.

Make sure that the letter asks for an interview after the date of marriage because only then will it be possible to supply the marriage certificate .... a rather important piece of evidence!