When does the 6 months time limit on entry clearance begin?

Apologies if this is a silly question, I am very new to this.

I am a UK citizen, my fiancee a US citizen. She applied succesfully for entry clearance ( i think that's the term), this being granted in mid-July of 2011. The stamp in her passport indicates an expiry date in mid-January.

I have tried with little success to call the Border Agency to ask a couple of questions, but getting through appears difficult. So, if anyone can help I'd be grateful. My questions are :

- Does/Did the 6 months my fiancee can stay for under entry clearance begin on the day clearance was granted (July) or from the date of arrival? (Jan)

- If it expires mid-January, will eyebrows be raised if she arrives on or just before the date of expiry? The last thing I want is for her to be turned away at the border, simply because she arrived on the date clearance expired.

I understand that, if needed, an extension of entry clearance can only be sought by someone actually in the country. Is that right?

If an extension proves necessary, is that for 6 months, or for longer?

Many thanks for any help,

Is this a 6 month fiancee visa or a 6 month visitor visa?

I'm guessing it's the former.

If so - the 6 month period starts from the start date on the visa - e.g. July.

Yes - it'll raise eyebrows when she arrives early Jan with a short time prior to expiry.

The extension will also require a good reason why the marriage hasn't taken place in the 6 months as you originally planned.

See the rules - paragraph 293

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/polic ... vilpartne/

Might be easier to let it expire and re-apply from the states.