FLR (M) - Canadian on Tier 5 - Urgent

[rmm89]

Long story short, I just received my renewed passport from the Canadian govt and now need to apply for my FLR(M) visa, from within the UK. Unfortunately, because it took the Canadians far longer than expected with the passport, I now have 6 weeks until I have a trip booked (26 May). I have several questions about the FLR (M) process that I hope someone can answer:

1) At what point in the process do you receive your passport back? Does the visa go IN your passport or is that what the bio-metric card is for?

1a) If you do receive your passport back before the bio-metric card can you leave the country before a decision is made?

2) When listing your absences from the UK I have listed everything, even weekends away. Is this correct or are they looking at long periods of absence?

3) The seem to have added the following question: "What family or friends do you have in the country where you were born and/or any other country whose nationality you hold?" - How many people do I have to list? Literally all my relatives and friends? Or just a few selected ones?

[CR001]

1) At what point in the process do you receive your passport back? Does the visa go IN your passport or is that what the bio-metric card is for?

If you apply by post, you get your passport back once a decision is made. If you have travel plans and don't want to wait a couple of months, suggest pay the extra and apply in person for a same day decision. No, the visa DOES NOT go into your passport, you will be issued with a biometric residence card which is your visa.

1a) If you do receive your passport back before the bio-metric card can you leave the country before a decision is made?

You cannot travel back to the UK without your biometric card as that is your visa and right to be in the UK. You must travel with passport and the card.

2) When listing your absences from the UK I have listed everything, even weekends away. Is this correct or are they looking at long periods of absence?

Yes ALL absences, but excluding the date of departure and arriving back in the UK. So only WHOLE days out.

3) The seem to have added the following question: "What family or friends do you have in the country where you were born and/or any other country whose nationality you hold?" - How many people do I have to list? Literally all my relatives and friends? Or just a few selected ones?

Immediate family and close friends should be fine.

Are you applying as an unmarried partner??

[rmm89]

Thanks for the response CR001.

To answer your question I am applying as a married partner (spouse). A few more questions:

1) If I apply same-day do I get the biometric card same day?

2) Typically, is the postal process quicker for a Canadian (who has previously been vetted for a UK Visa before)?

3) Does the fact that we are married have any bearing on the speed of the application (as opposed to applying under the two-year co-habitation route)?

[CR001]

1) If I apply same-day do I get the biometric card same day?

No, it gets delivered by DX Courier within 7-10 days of approval at your appointment

2) Typically, is the postal process quicker for a Canadian (who has previously been vetted for a UK Visa before)?

No. There is no 'preference or quicker' postal application based on your nationality/passport. Some applications take a few weeks (usually about others take many months.

3) Does the fact that we are married have any bearing on the speed of the application (as opposed to applying under the two-year co-habitation route)?

No. It is the same requirements that have to be met.

[rmm89]

Good to know - given that they've just bumped up all the visa costs ( ) I'm going to risk just applying by paper. Some more questions (because you're so helpful!)

1) I have a letter from my employer stating my salary etc but it was provided to me on the 15 March - is it now to old? I just came across something saying the documents should be within 28 days.

2) Other than documentation addressed to both me and my husband and our marriage certificate I haven't provided any "personal" documentation - photographs, whatsapp conversation history etc. Is this actually required?

3) I printed my payslips off but they aren't "certified" by my company. Do they need to be?

[CR001]

1) I have a letter from my employer stating my salary etc but it was provided to me on the 15 March - is it now to old? I just came across something saying the documents should be within 28 days.

If you can get a more recent one, it would probably be better. The most recent bank statements and payslips must also not be older than 28 days.

2) Other than documentation addressed to both me and my husband and our marriage certificate I haven't provided any "personal" documentation - photographs, whatsapp conversation history etc. Is this actually required?

Photos, whatsapp etc NOT required for in country applications.

3) I printed my payslips off but they aren't "certified" by my company. Do they need to be?

Yes, they need to be stamped/signed by company.

[rmm89]

Oh Dear - so documents are in order, application submitted after checking it several times. However immediately after submitting (of course) I looked at my name on the application and I have left my 'Title' as Miss (instead of Ms or Mrs) - could this cause my application to be refused ?!

[CR001]

No issue.