Not sure what to do now that my 2.5 year spousal visa is about to end

[papa-o]

Hello Community,
I desperately need some guidance. I was granted a spousal visa with a start date of 24/11/2015 and end an date of 24/08/2018 but now I am not sure which home office application form I should use to to extend my visa, nor am I sure about which home guidance document I should read. I am also not sure which documents I should gather. Can someone please offer me some guidance.

I am 60+ and work full-time . My wife (British) is also retired but still working . I have not collected any benefits and I have spent very little time on holidays outside UK (less than 90 days) since my visa was first issued.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

[CR001]

On what date did you enter the UK on your spouse visa??

Are you 65 or older?

You need to apply for a further 2.5 year extension on form FLR(M).

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... -form-flrm

You need to meet the financial requirement again as well.

You also need to pay the fee, £1,033 for a postal application and you need to pay £500 immigration health Surcharge fee.

You will also need to provide evidence of cohabitation for the last 2 years.

[papa-o]

Thanks for your reply, I entered on 24/12/2015. I'm 63 years old. I'm curious as to why being 65 makes a difference. Once again, thank you for replying

[CR001]

If you are 63 or over, you would be exempt from having to meet the English language requirement if your nationality is one that has to do the test.

[papa-o]

If you are 63 or over, you would be exempt from having to meet the English language requirement if your nationality is one that has to do the test.

Thank you for your assistance,
In the guidance form, I noticed that I’m required to “meet the financial requirement of £18,600”. Is this my wage or my wife’s wage? I have a basic wage of £16,000. In my first year here I earned £19,878 and the second year £19,252.
My wife earns roughly £51,000 but she retired three months ago an still works similar hours and will not earn below £25,000 going forward
So I want to ask about whose financial statements I should use. Do I still need to prove financial requirement since my wife already proved it before?

How best can I satisfy the home office that my relationship with my partner is genuine and continuing, and that we intend to live together permanently in the UK.

I also did an English test before I was given my initial visa to enter the UK. Do I need to do the ‘Life in the UK’ test?

The guidance note also asked me to send original documents, with the exception of my wife’s passport which can be photocopies.

[CR001]

You can use combined income to meet the £18,600pa financial requirement.

You need English A2 for your extension. So if you did A1 for your initial visa, it wont be accepted.

You need to provide proof of cohabitation for the last two years to prove relationship.

Life in the uk is for ILR and not for an extension. As you will be over 65 when you Qualify for ILR, you won't need it anyway.

If you apply by post, you have to send all originals except your spouses passport. If you apply in person, you get a same day decision but it costs an extra £610 on top of the £1,033 visa fee and £500 immigration health Surcharge.

[pdiddybdoddy]

Just a question on this, as I'll be in a similar position in a couple of years (always best to plan ahead!)

Does the 18,600pa requirement need to be upheld for the entirety of the duration of the visa(s)?
E.g. If I was on 18600 the first year, but took a pay cut for the second year, then went back up to 18600+ for at least the 6 months preceding the visa extension, would I fail to meet the requirement?

[CR001]

Just a question on this, as I'll be in a similar position in a couple of years (always best to plan ahead!)

Does the 18,600pa requirement need to be upheld for the entirety of the duration of the visa(s)?
E.g. If I was on 18600 the first year, but took a pay cut for the second year, then went back up to 18600+ for at least the 6 months preceding the visa extension, would I fail to meet the requirement?

Useful to continue your questions in one of your own topics rather than tagging onto another members thread.

There is no requirement that the income must be maintained for the full 2.5 years. At each stage however, the same requirements must be met with a minimum of 6 months evidence.