Set(M) - Timings and Options

[clg]

First post, thanks for the forum and excellent source of information.

I'm in the process of applying for Set(M), my BRP expires on the 20th March, 2018
Currently trying to get a same day Premium Service appointment but website shows nothing available for 45 days etc. Is it worth while engaging a solicitors firm to help with Same Day or better to sit up at midnight and try and get a cancellation?

Complicating the situation is an upcoming work trip to New York which is planned for w/c 12th-16th March
Worse case scenario I was prepared to go the postal route but wanted to use the Local Authority Settlement service so that my wife could still use her passport. I wanted to do the settlement checking on the 19th of March (e.g day before BRP expires) however when trying to book this they want it booked at least a week prior, at which time I will be iN New York.

Be grateful if anyone has advice around likelihood of getting a same day appointment on the 19th,and maybe the best way to achieve this and the likelihood of it happening?

Outside of that is there a way to get documents certified on the postal route (outside of the settlement checking service) so that my wife doesn't need to send her passport away?

The whole situation is so complicated and obtuse, it is really disheartening!

I imagine my application is relatively straightforward, but would rather go for the premium service if at all possible?

Thanks in advance.

[CR001]

Is it worth while engaging a solicitors firm to help with Same Day or better to sit up at midnight and try and get a cancellation?

If you cannot find an appointment, a solicitor can't either. They don't block book them and then 'sell them on' like they did a few years ago.

Keep checking.

March is the busiest time due to applicants trying to avoid the fee increase in April.

What date did you enter the UK on your spouse visa??

[clg]

also does anyone know if possible to pay with American Express?

[CR001]

also does anyone know if possible to pay with American Express?

The form clearly states AE is accepted. However, you will have to see if the online booking process accepts AE.

[clg]

I've been in UK since 2007, previously on Ancestry Visa. So on Spousal visa from around Dec 2013 I think.

[clg]

also does anyone know if possible to pay with American Express?

The form clearly states AE is accepted. However, you will have to see if the online booking process accepts AE.

thanks so much for the prompt reply!

[clg]

what about an appointment a day or two after BRP expires?
I can currently get an appointment on the 23rd? Or will that be an automatic no?

[CR001]

Why didn't you apply for ILR based on 10 years long residency last year or after 5 years on Ancesty??

[clg]

was just bad planning, I just assumed that I would need to submit my BRP, but realised a few days prior I would need to resubmit my grandmothers birth certificate etc which I couldn't get in time. So switched to spousal route as all documentation was available...

[clg]

How far ahead do they release Premium Service bookings?
Currently a lot available on Wednesday this week in Croydon?
Do they only release a couple of days ahead?

[CR001]

Set(M) doesn't require extant leave as far as I recall (unless it has changed in the flurry of rule changes) but you should ideally apply or get an appointment at ANY of the centres before your visa expires as once it expires, you won't have Section 3C protection if your application has a problem of any kind or is delayed.

Premium appointments are available to book 42 days in advance, but sometimes only 20 or 28 days in advance. Cancellations happen sporadically.

What date was your first spouse visa issued?

Set(M) by post is shouldn't take more than 2 months and you can use the council settlement checking service too.

[clg]

thanks so much for all your help, I really appreciate it.
If I take a premium appointment this Wednesday 21 Feb, is my BRP still valid until 20th of March?
I'm travelling to Paris this Friday for weekend, and NY on 12th March, I'd rather get it booked in this week and all done, but need to know I can still get back into UK. Do they take the existing BRP at the appointment, even if it is still valid for a month?

[CR001]

What date was your first spouse visa issued?

Do they take the existing BRP at the appointment, even if it is still valid for a month?

They retain your existing BRP as if you are granted ILR, your spouse visa BRP is no longer valid and ceases.

In person you do not get your new BRP card on the day. It gets delivered by courier 2 to 10 days after your appointment.

Paris will be a problem, but New York should be ok.

[clg]

OK, I definitely need to go to Paris. If I travelled without BRP you think there is a risk that we will stop me coming back into the UK? I should still be registered if they check on systems?

[CR001]

If you get stamped in as a 'visitor', you risk invalidating and cancelling your ILR, if it is granted.

[clg]

OK thanks, not an option then, definitely need to go to Paris and New York.
Seems my best option is to try and get a same day appointment, somewhere in the UK on the 19th March, when I'm back from New York.

I'll keep an eye on the website and check constantly to try and get this booked in as soon as possible. As mentioned earlier, Croydon appointments are showing two days ahead at the moment, I'm based in London but can travel anywhere in UK if needed for an appointment on the 19th.

The risk is that I don't get an appointment so will need to go postal route. Unfortunately that would rule me out of the Settlement Service as they need at least a week prior to expiry date of BRP.
Assuming I wait then can't get an appointment on same day when back from NY, is there any other way to certify my wife documents so she doesn't need to lose her passport for a few months?

Thanks again for all your advice, really impressed with this forum and timeliness of your responses, hugely appreciated and incredibly helpful.

[CR001]

That is likely their requirement as it is not stipulated on the HO website as far as I can see. But obviously, to check and send it off, they are erring on the side of caution. They give you your original documents back so you could even do it before New York.

You can of course use any SCS, it doesn't have to be your council.

https://www.gov.uk/government/collectio ... ng-service

[clg]

That is likely their requirement as it is not stipulated on the HO website as far as I can see. But obviously, to check and send it off, they are erring on the side of caution. They give you your original documents back so you could even do it before New York.

You can of course use any SCS, it doesn't have to be your council.

https://www.gov.uk/government/collectio ... ng-service

I think they only give spouse original docs back, they will keep my passport and BRP as far as I know?

[clg]

I guess another option is to get a same day appointment on the 23rd of March, 3 days after my BRP expires, but in the 28 day grace period, then hopefully get everything sorted on the day on the 23rd.
Risky?

[clg]

I guess another option is to get a same day appointment on the 23rd of March, 3 days after my BRP expires, but in the 28 day grace period, then hopefully get everything sorted on the day on the 23rd.
Risky?

14 day grace period now!

[CR001]

but in the 28 day grace period,

There is no '28 day grace period'. It has been reduced to 14 days but for exceptional circumstances. Not for an option where if you can't get an appointment, you could still apply by post before your visa expires.

[clg]

but in the 28 day grace period,

There is no '28 day grace period'. It has been reduced to 14 days but for exceptional circumstances. Not for an option where if you can't get an appointment, you could still apply by post before your visa expires.

Do you know if it is possible to do a same day appointment on the day that Visa expires?
I can currently get an appointment in Belfast on the 20th of March, the same day that my visa expires.

[CR001]

Yes, you can apply on the same day your visa expires.

[clg]

Yes, you can apply on the same day your visa expires.

Great news! I've made a successful booking at the Liverpool office for 8am on the 20th March.
Would like to thank you again for all of your help and rapid responses, absolute life saver!

[CR001]

You're welcome and feel free to ask any further questions you might have in this topic.