Extension of Ancestry - guidance please

[katinedinburgh]

I've looked through all of the guidance issued by UKBA and googled quite a bit and still can't get solid answers to specific questions. Every time I look up extension of ancestry I always just stumble across people trying to get 1 more year so they can get their ILR. If anyone can help, I'd really appreciate it. I can always go to an immigration adviser if there's no advice available here. THANK YOU!

1. I have decided not to get ILR as I only plan to spend 3 more years here at the most and even if I got it, we'll be moving home and after 2 years it'll expire. Does an extension of ancestry always guarantee you 5 more years granted, just in case we do end up staying longer?

2. My visa started 1 April 2009 and I arrived 23 April 2009. Does it matter that I arrived 3 weeks late? Do I still apply within 28 days of expiry? (expires 1 April 2014)

3. I remember going for some sort of appointment and having my fingerprints taken back in 2009 before I came over, but I never received any sort of physical permit or notification in the post or anything, just my visa back from Canberra. Is this an issue or do I just go for a new biometrics appointment when asked?

4. Are they going to be concerned that we own our home here? I don't want to look like I'm trying to stay longer than a possible new visa, we do intend to sell up in 2016!

5. My passport expires August 2014, 4 months after my visa - do I need to renew my passport first/do I need a certain amount of time available on my passport to get the new visa? I do intend to renew the passport ASAP but I don't want to send it away until after I have had the visa appointment/been home to NZ in May.

6. How early can I book my premium visa appointment in advance? and do you pay the (rather large fee!) on the date of booking or when you actually go to your appointment? (has anyone been to Glasgow for this?)


Thank you!

[CR001]

I've looked through all of the guidance issued by UKBA and googled quite a bit and still can't get solid answers to specific questions. Every time I look up extension of ancestry I always just stumble across people trying to get 1 more year so they can get their ILR. If anyone can help, I'd really appreciate it. I can always go to an immigration adviser if there's no advice available here. THANK YOU!

1. I have decided not to get ILR as I only plan to spend 3 more years here at the most and even if I got it, we'll be moving home and after 2 years it'll expire. Does an extension of ancestry always guarantee you 5 more years granted, just in case we do end up staying longer? Yes, it will be for 5 years

2. My visa started 1 April 2009 and I arrived 23 April 2009. Does it matter that I arrived 3 weeks late? Do I still apply within 28 days of expiry? (expires 1 April 2014) yes, within 28 days

3. I remember going for some sort of appointment and having my fingerprints taken back in 2009 before I came over, but I never received any sort of physical permit or notification in the post or anything, just my visa back from Canberra. Is this an issue or do I just go for a new biometrics appointment when asked? You will do new biometrics when you apply, no need to do anything before then.

4. Are they going to be concerned that we own our home here? I don't want to look like I'm trying to stay longer than a possible new visa, we do intend to sell up in 2016! Not an issue

5. My passport expires August 2014, 4 months after my visa - do I need to renew my passport first/do I need a certain amount of time available on my passport to get the new visa? I do intend to renew the passport ASAP but I don't want to send it away until after I have had the visa appointment/been home to NZ in May. No, you will be issued with a Biometric Residence Permit card, not a sticker in your passport.

6. How early can I book my premium visa appointment in advance? and do you pay the (rather large fee!) on the date of booking or when you actually go to your appointment? (has anyone been to Glasgow for this?) Appointments are available up to 42 days in advance and fees are paid when you make the booking.


Thank you!

In my opinion if I was you, I would apply for ILR in April 2014 and then 12 months receiving ILR apply to naturalise as a British Citizen (provided your country allows dual citizenship). That way, as a BC, you are free to come and go anytime should you wish to come back to the UK or Europe.

[Lucapooka]

But if you apply for ILR, you will have more freedom and it's no skin of your nose to do that application rather than an application to extend for five years. If you lose your job you can claim benefits. Never mind that you intend to leave the UK in the future; that is not relevant now but it might be if you change your mind.

Otherwise, simply fill out FLR(O) to extend for another five years.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas ... extending/

[katinedinburgh]

Thanks a lot to both of you!

While I was keen on possibly pursuing BC and the UK passport, my initial issues with ILR were:

1. The Life in the UK test, which requires studying and sitting by April when I already have commitments keeping me busy 60 hours+ a week (not a big issue, this one is possible to get around!)

2. The £500 more in fees to apply in person for ILR instead of extension. Unfortunately I can't submit by post as I need to go home at the end of April for my father's health/his 60th so I can't be without my passport, and we really don't think we can gather £500 more together by the time my visa expires - the £974 is already quite a stretch when travelling back to NZ costs us £900ish each. Booo!

3. Even if I wanted to get my citizenship and then my passport, etc, making sure I have another £874 for that in 12 months after paying £1400 and the travelling costs we are paying for next year... just doesn't seem likely at the moment!

I may look into the possibility of trying to borrow the money to do these things, but it just seems like a lot of money for just a future possibility. I'm happy to come back on another visa if I need to and as I have a British partner and we are looking to marry in the next few years, it may be that if we wish to return I will come back with him under spousal if required - or could I just get another ancestry?

Thanks SO much for your advice, it has really helped me.

[CR001]

I know it is very expensive, having spent around £9,000 in total from Ancestry visa to Spouse visa switch, ILR and then citizenship for myself and my daughter, but felt it was money well worth spending and I also borrowed some of it to for ILR and citizenship.

I only have the passports left to do, having received my BC in December last year and my daughters in May this year.

The Life in the UK test is fairly easy and quite a bit of common sense. I read the book once and did a few of the practice tests and passed the test first time.

I wish you all the best with whichever option you choose.

Kind regards

Char