FLR - How late can you leave it to apply?

[drewchad]

Hi,

I am coming towards the end of my first year on a HSMV. How close to the expiration date of my current visa can I apply for FLR?

Am I able to send it in just before it expires and rely on having an application with the Home Office as my right to be in the country?

Thanks for your help.

[Chess]

You will be alright so long as the application form is 'physicaklly' there before your expiry date...

you have up to 8 weeks to submit prior to Visa expiry - so no need to leave it too late..

as Lady Luck was on your side with the initial HSMP visa application (i Still remember your case) - donmt leave it too late

[drewchad]

Unfortunately, it isn't going to be straightforward this time either...

I am waiting on the outcome of my girlfriends unmarried partner application (and her arriving in the UK) before applying - to avoid having to pay twice.

The dates may be pretty tight, as she has an interview with the BHC in NZ next week & I have just under 1 month left on my visa.

[Chess]

Unfortunately, it isn't going to be straightforward this time either...

I am waiting on the outcome of my girlfriends unmarried partner application (and her arriving in the UK) before applying - to avoid having to pay twice.

The dates may be pretty tight, as she has an interview with the BHC in NZ next week & I have just under 1 month left on my visa.

Drew - you seem to live dangerously..

to me this is another chicken up - the unmarried partners Visa will be for the validity of your existing Visa..

Your partner would have only a month granted on her Visa as your extension has not been approved yet

Why didnt the unmarried partner Visa wait till you got extension?

I know you live 'dangerously' but this time I think you are taking alot for granted. For starters - I cant see BHC issuiong a depedant Visa with 1 months validity....

...but as a Kiwi - lady luck may be on your side...

[drewchad]

I can't really see any reason why they wouldn't issue a visa based on the timeframe of my visa, so long as the application is valid I would hope a visa would be issued. She is within the rules so should be allowed to come even if it is for only 1 month.

I assume the BHC understands the renewal process involved with a HSMV, so hopefully they will look at the application on a holistic basis.

This situation shouldn't be too uncommon, and I would predict will happen more often with the new regulations regarding having to return to your country of origin in order to change visa category.

Also, on receiving FLR for 3 years, when is the start date issued from? Is it based on initial FLR, or the date of processing?

i.e. Can I apply know put in an urgent request form & hope that they process it immediately, with the new visa running from when the old one has expired. (does this make any sense??) Has anyone received a 3 year visa before the original one ran out?

[stedman]

Has anyone received a 3 year visa before the original one ran out?

A read through the thread below may help answer your question... short answer is yes.

http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=3455