Just to update this in case anyone finds it useful in the future. We travelled to the UK together and all was fine at border control. We openly told them we have submitted a spouse visa application, they asked to make sure he was travelling as a visitor, and asked for evidence we have flights booked...

Yes, as part of paying to keep his passport during the application we were informed that once approved we then have to give them the passport (in the country he applied from) and may have to wait an extra 15 working days, I assume to get the vignette.

We've now received the email from the Home Office saying that standard waiting time is now 24 weeks, so we're not expecting a decision till end of September now.

Is there really a ban on visiting the UK while waiting for a spouse visa??

It seems everyone who has already applied for a family visa is today receiving an email from the home office extending the standard waiting time for visa from 12 weeks to 24 weeks. I would be surprised if you were able to get visas before schools start in September. Sorry

Many thanks for your answer! I see your point. But I am still surprised by the fact that because of having an application for long term residence, UKVI think that a person is going to break the law and stay illegally in the country after a visitor visa expires... Do you think they have the same con...

Really hoping someone has experience of this! My husband applied for his spouse visa at the end of March from abroad. We paid extra to keep his passport so he could still travel. Does anyone know if UK border guards will be suspicious about his intentions if he visits the UK as a tourist while the s...