Post
by ASD1 » Sat Feb 13, 2016 6:02 pm
Hi All,
Just wanted to provide information on my wife's FLR (M) extension in case it may help any of you out there.
First 30 month visa applied for and granted in Chile
Expiry date: 29/04/2016
Applied for extension on 13/02/2016 for further 30 months - granted at Croydon PSC
I'd like to say that if you can afford it, going to one of the PSC offices is by far the best option when it comes to FLR/settlement visas in my opinion. The whole process was smooth and worked as stated on the website. Apart from waiting ages to book an appointment, the whole process has been pretty easygoing, surprising since for many this is surely a stressful event.
We arrived at the PSC office at 9AM and cleared the brief but thorough security check (the security guards were all polite and helpful). Once upstairs on the 3rd floor we were asked to check-in. This consisted of going to a desk and showing proof of payment and confirmation of appointment.
After this, we were asked to take a seat in the waiting area and just after 9.30am our number was called to one of the desks. Once there an officer took the application form, checked the passports, took ONE of the photographs of my wife, entered in some details on the computer and after about 10-15 mins asked us to wait in another area to get biometrics/fingerprints done.
After a little wait, we were asked to go to the biometrics section and there my wife's photo and fingerprints were taken. This didn't take long, but if you are applying with children I'm sure it will take a bit longer. The person who took the photo and fingerprints (very friendly and polite) explained she would be dealing with the application and that it would take about 2.5 hours. She also explained that we could leave the building and come back and that if it took less than 2.5 hours she would call to let us know.
Instead of waiting around for 2.5 hours we decided on going to the nearby shopping centre which was better because you can browse shops and eat etc. We got back just before the 2.5 hour mark and after a short wait our number was called. The immigration was there and explained that the visa had been granted and that the ID card would be sent by post.
All in all the whole thing from arriving to leaving took 4 hours. When she said it would take 2.5 to go through all the docs, it really was 2.5 hours. Honestly, it was not stressful at all and if I can reiterate what I said before, if you can afford it, this is the way to go.
Now onto the docs supplied.
You really just need to follow what the application states and be methodical about it. The docs included:
IHS confirmation
2 passport sized photos of applicant (but they only took 1)
1 passport sized photo of spouse
Passports
Application form
6 months bank statements applicant AND spouse
6 month wage slips applicant AND spouse
Proof of language ability
Marriage cert
Confirmation of employment applicant AND spouse
Employment contract applicant AND spouse
Correspondence covering the last 2 years (this consisted of tax letters, previous bank statements, GP letters, hospital letters, council tax, energy bills, gym membership letters, tenancy agreements, previous payslips)
We handed over the originals and also photocopies of ALL of the docs submitted. This doesn't have to packaged in any particular way, but we placed all the photocopies in a A4 sized envelope and labelled it 'photocopies'.
And that's it...for now.
I guess the by the time my wife applies for settlement there'll be new conditions and a new form to fill and new docs to submit, but for now, doing it this was pretty good!
Hope this info helps others but any questions feel free to ask!
A