FLR(M) advice

[Bloo]

Hi all,

Just wondered if anyone can advise us on the predicament we’re in.

My partner is Australian and she’s living in the UK on a partner visa (I’m a British citizen). The visa expires on 6th May 2018 so we’re in the process of applying for an extension.

However, last year we (probably stupidly) booked a three week holiday to Australia for a family wedding which returns us on the exact same date as the visa expiration (we’ve only just realised).

Hence we need to get it sorted before we go away otherwise they may not let my partner back in the country. We understand paper applications take 6-8 weeks to get the documentation back (which is no good as we need the passport), so we thought perhaps we’ll pay a premium and go to the Premium Service Centre. We did the online application form and went to book an appointment, however there were no available appointments at any of the centres before we go away in 4 weeks time.

Is there anything we can do or anyone we can call to try to get an appointment earlier? Cancelling the trip is looking like a possibility although hopefully this can be avoided.

Thanks in advance.

[Casa]

This a particularly busy time for PSC appointments before the visa fees increase on the 6th April. Slots are generally released onto the system around mid-night and it will need persistence to keep checking all the PSCs.