Fiancée visa extension process

[southbear]

Hi, just wondering, have you received any further update on this?

Unfortunately not. I telephoned the CIH line today and spoke to the same lady that was previously working on the UKVI helpline. She advised there had been no further advice from the Home Office.

My MP's office also contacted me to say that the Home Office had not replied to the query they sent on my behalf on 15 May. It's concerning that even an MP can't get a reply.

On the positive side, I've now booked a new marriage registration for late August. The register office was initially reluctant to accept a booking, but I've been phoning them for a while and they know the position I'm in. I'm allowed two witnesses but no guests.

[jrp777]

Hi, just wondering, have you received any further update on this?

Unfortunately not. I telephoned the CIH line today and spoke to the same lady that was previously working on the UKVI helpline. She advised there had been no further advice from the Home Office.

My MP's office also contacted me to say that the Home Office had not replied to the query they sent on my behalf on 15 May. It's concerning that even an MP can't get a reply.

On the positive side, I've now booked a new marriage registration for late August. The register office was initially reluctant to accept a booking, but I've been phoning them for a while and they know the position I'm in. I'm allowed two witnesses but no guests.

Ok, thanks for the update. If you do get any more information, it would be much appreciated if you could let us know what they say.

I think we are going to start populating an application form for a fiancee visa extension (without submitting) and wait for updates/speak to the CIH. We have a telephone call booked with our Citizen's Advice Bureau's immigration specialists next Wednesday. It's possible they might be of some assistance (but not holding my breath).

I asked JCWI if they had any other advice given the problems that have been described with progressing the application online, but they weren't of any help this time.

[southbear]

Finally, some positive news from the Home Office! The information about fiancé visas is towards the end:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus ... -residents

I've heard that the update was prompted by the publicity given to the issue in The Guardian today:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/202 ... -furloughs

It looks as if an extension to 31 July is free. I've not been able to determine what fee might be charged for the six month extension.

[jrp777]

Hi,

Thanks for posting this. Looks to be some positive news.

I note from looking at the extension form to the 31st of July that this appears to be the same one as before (for those who couldn't leave the UK). However, this does seem to tie up with the guidance that was given on the CIH helpline last week (I.e. apply for the extension to the 31st of July).

It would be good to know whether the extension to the 31st of July can then be extended further. Based on the current situation, we will not be able to get married before July 31st. Our wedding venue is not taking bookings until September and if we were to look for somewhere else, we would need to give notice (and go through the 70 day wait, or whatever it is).

We have looked at completing the visa extension form as you did and ran into the same issues with the Immigration Health Surcharge.

Some other quirks we found were:
- The FLR(M) Form requires cohabitation evidence to be provided, although this isn’t required for a fiancé visa application, or the first spouse visa application
- One of the Mandatory forms is confirmation of police registration, which isn’t required for a fiancée visa (Source: https://www.gov.uk/register-with-the-police)

[nick1961]

Interesting and contradictory experiences it seems from people in the same position.

My MP has tried three times, without success, to get a reply from the Minister, Kevin Foster.

He received a reply from an MP's 'Assistant Account Manager' representing UKVI who wrote that an extension (with the £1,000 fee) was the correct route. Clearly that isn't accurate given the requirement to show two years cohabitation in the application process as someone has found doing a 'dummy' application. The fee also contradicts the many public domain statements that there will be no penalty.

Anyway, there is an extension up to 31st July and a repeat of the option to extend by six months. I assume this 6-month option is the same application process that requires 2-year cohabitation (and therefore not applicable) and the £1,000 fee that contradicts the 'no penalty' Home Office statements.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus ... -residents

"Fiancés, fiancées or proposed civil partners
If you’re here with 6 months’ leave as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner and your wedding or civil ceremony has been delayed due to coronavirus you can either request an extension until 31 July 2020 by updating your records with the Coronavirus Immigration Team, or apply to extend your stay for a further 6 months to allow the ceremony to take place."

So the issue is whether marriages will be allowed before 31st July and allow sufficient time for Registry Offices to slot couples in these circumstances before an FLR (m) application can be submitted. My local registry office has been very understanding and will give an early appointment once allowed.

I assume if weddings and visa submissions are not possible before 31st July then UKVI will extend until the end of Sept. No doubt there will be confusion until the last minute. Not sure why they can't just say we "we will continue to extend every two months until weddings and subsequent FLR (m) visa applications are able to take place."

I will ask my MP about this and see if he can get Kevin Foster to finally give some clarity. It's a bit of an eye-opener that his MP colleague (my MP) from the same party has been chasing him for a reply for 3 months without success.

[jrp777]

Hi,

Having spoken to the Coronavirus Immigration Helpline last week, we were advised to apply for an extension to the 31/07/2020 and were told that we would be able to apply for a 6 month extension after this, if another 2 month extension is not forthcoming.

We followed this up with a call to UK Visa's Direct and they advised the same thing. Despite being the relevant department, they did not seem to be aware that fiancee visas can be extended, although this is referenced in the Appendix FM document, as per my earlier messages.

On this basis, we have applied for the extension, we will advise when we hear back.

Please note the relevant phone numbers are:
CIH Number: 0800 678 1767

UK Visa Direct: 0300 123 2241 (Opt 4 + Opt 4)

If this isn't successful we have an application prepared to apply for a 6 month extension.

[jrp777]

One other query. Does anyone know at what stage documents would need to be collated for a fiancee visa extension?

I have spoken to my HR department regarding getting my payslips signed and letter of support, however there would likely be a bit of a delay in getting this across.

When we applied for the fiancee visa extension, I seem to recall that as long as the payslips were less 28 days old after the application was paid, then that was fine. Is that correct for an extension?

It would be interesting to know how the documents will be submitted after the extension application is sent.

[nick1961]

Looks like the removal of the wedding ban resolves the problems for those who can get married before July 31st. That date being when the latest Home Office extension expires. It's a pity the Home Office didn't make it easier and less stressful during this time. I hope the Home Office starts the priority service again as my fiancee has a teaching offer that starts in early Sept but she needs the visa of course.

Anyway, good luck to all who have been in this situation.