Renewing partner/spouse visa

[yankeeinldn]

Hi there,

I'm currently residing in the UK on a 2.5 year spouse/partner visa. My visa expires later this year, and I would like to renew it. I have a few questions:

1) How far in advance do I need to submit a renewal application?
2) I hope eventually to go for the 5-year ILR route after renewing my application. If I submit my renewal application before the 2.5 years are up (let's say I still have a couple of months before my visa expires this year), will any excess time be rolled over to my new visa, so that my two 2.5-year visas fully equal 5 years?
3) Which form do I submit to renew? I'm trying to find it but it looks like the forms available now are not the ones I used the first time, although maybe it's just my memory!

Thank you in advance for your help.

[CR001]

1) How far in advance do I need to submit a renewal application?

Ideally within 28 days before it expires. What date does it expire?? What is the visa start date and on what date did you enter the UK?

2) I hope eventually to go for the 5-year ILR route after renewing my application. If I submit my renewal application before the 2.5 years are up (let's say I still have a couple of months before my visa expires this year), will any excess time be rolled over to my new visa, so that my two 2.5-year visas fully equal 5 years?

If you apply for an extension too early, you will end up with a shortfall to meet the 5 year requirement and will have to apply for another extension. No, excess time is not 'rolled over' to the new visa. Assuming you apply in person for a same day decision, your visa issue date will be the date of the appointment or a couple of days later. It is not tagged onto the end of your current visa.

3) Which form do I submit to renew? I'm trying to find it but it looks like the forms available now are not the ones I used the first time, although maybe it's just my memory!

FLR(M)

[yankeeinldn]

Thanks so much for the reply Char.

It expires at the end of October and was issued at the end of April 2015, so I have plenty of time to prepare. I first entered the UK on a student visa, then was on a post-study work visa, then a sponsored work visa, before finally moving to my current visa, so I have already been here for well over 5 years, but I understand the 5 year ILR only applies if you've been on ONE type of visa.

If I apply 28 days before it expires and my excess time doesn't roll over, I don't really see how I'll be eligible for ILR after two 2.5 year partner visas. Should I apply for the same-day service just a few days before my current visa expires?

Thank you again!

[CR001]

You can apply for ILR wtihin 28 days before reaching 5 years too, same as for your extension.

If you have been here for more than 5 years already, you will qualify for ILR based on long residency sooner anyway.

[yankeeinldn]

Great, thank you!