How soon can I apply to renew my visa?

Okay folks so I created this thread for future reference. Credits to the information I'm getting from different forums and on the internet. I'll break it down to three different scenarios.

1. If you are in the UK on a fiance(e) visa and applying for extension or FLR(m) you can apply right after your marriage. You don't need to wait for 28 days prior to visa expiration. You can apply by post (result will be after a few months) or in person (result on the same day). If you apply by post make sure it's before the expiry and if you won't get the result but your visa has expired you don't need to worry, your leave is automatically extended in the UK, so you're not overstaying and you don't have to go back to the Ph.

2. If you arrived in the UK on a spouse visa which is for 33 months the earliest you can apply to renew your visa is on the 30th month anniversary of your UK entry (not from 'valid from' date, unless you arrived here on the first day of validity) minus 28 days. For example, if you arrived in the UK on spouse visa on 10th December 2016, you can apply on 10th June 2019 (30th month) minus 28 days is 13th May 2019, so this is the first day you can book your premium service centre appointment (for same-day service) or send your application by post.

3. If your FLR(m) is granted from fiance(e) visa then your leave will be valid for 30 months so the earliest you can apply for the next extension is 28 days prior to visa expiration.

Right I hope this helps I hope I made myself clear.

So for the fiance visa to FLR(m), application is like anytime? That sounds good.
Nice thread btw. Thanks for the info.

Yes exactly. Anytime after the marriage

Haha salamat sa expat dadto nako nakuha ako knowledge sa mga inani.

Pwede najud ka mag-immigration adviser ba! £££

Hooy hahaha grabe sad. Wala pa nagkatunga akong knowledge

translation anyone ?

Hahah @tipipay said I could be an immigration adviser and I told her nah 'not even close'

I thought you can only apply 28 days before the expiry of the old visa? Or you can apply after you get married but the flr (m) is only effective only after fiancé visa has expired??

Just double checking, cause if that is the case, we can move up the wedding schedule, apply for the flr (m) asap and then i can start working (and stop nagging my fiance ).

We are trying put a couple of months in between fiance visa application with flight, wedding and flr (m) application so we can recover from the expenses (the three can add up into a massive bill!)

You can apply right away after your marriage, the 28 day rule doesn't apply for those switching from fiancé visa to FLR(m).

also--remember--she is NOT entitled to NHS free services untill she gets her first FLR and pays the £500 surcharge. another member on here told us his fiancee became pregnant and was hit with a £2500 invoice for pre-natal care.

in our case--we got wed on the 30th of april--this year--and was at Croydon UKVI for the same day FLR by mid-may. an expensive time ! but i was booked to have an operation at the end of may--so i wanted her FLR in place in case i woke up dead.

nope--not the case--the FLR is issued to you on the day if you go for same day service.

i know its a £500 extra--but it means you can get her out there grafting as soon as--so it wont take long to recoup the outlay.

So we can get married in Jan 2017 (there is a notice requirement for the marriage license) and apply for priority service and get the flr (m) before feb and start working in feb as well?

Hmm. Talk with the bf then. Might be worth considering having all the expenses at one go and be done with it then I can start earning.

if i were you--get the money somehow---wedding presents ?--and get that FLR sorted asap--NHS cover is essential IMO.

my mrs was able to register with my doctor--AND NHS dentist soon after.

Yes once FLR(m) is granted you can then start on your journey looking for a job and work right away.

you have to give 28 days notice at a designated registry office--this may well NOT be your local one. there is a list of them on the net. (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/designated-register-offices-in-england-and-wales )

you also have to be resident in the UK for 7 (or 8 ) days before you can even give notice--and you may well have a bit of a wait to get an appointment. in our case--she arrived in the UK 25th feb--and we got wed on the 30th april.

@bigmac you can confirm that this can be done correct? (Or anyone from the forum?)

We spoke to a solicitor for an initial consultation, and they were the ones who mentioned the 28 days timeline. £60 consultation fee went down the drain, its not much but a waste nonetheless. Its irritating to realize that these solicitors should know what they are doing and still give you a totally wrong advise. I clearly asked (from the calendar etc) for a timeline on when i can apply for the flr (m), wrote it down on a notebook and re-confirmed (we know that dates and timing are critical when it comes to visa).

And you are correct, i dont have any insurance right now and the more i delay getting one, higher the risk.

Take it from me, you can apply for the FLR(M) straight away after marriage, I was married on a Saturday and we had the FLR(M) in hand three days later (premium service).

When applying for the second FLR(M) you can apply no earlier than 28 days before the expiry date on the BRP, it really is as simple as that

yes--correct--i did it.

Hello! Just a bit confused.

I posted a thread to ask when I can apply for my 2nd flr m

I arrived on spouse visa on 9/1/2015. My visa expires 17/09/17. When can I apply for my visa?

They said it's 28 days minus 17/09/17.

But according to your post its 28 days minus my 30th month which is 6/11/2017.

Which should i follow then?

Thanks a lot

If you entered on a spouse visa (which is for 33 months) you will apply for the extension on the 30th month anniversary of your arrival in the UK minus 28 days. If you arrive January 9 2015 your 30th month will be July 9 2017 minus 28 days that will be the earliest you can apply for your FLR (m).

If you switch from fiance visa to FLR(m) and you are ready to apply for your 2nd FLR (m) that's when the 28 days apply..

I'd also stress that, that will be your FIRST FLR (M) not the 2nd since you came here on a spouse visa.. That will be asked on the form saying "Is this your first time applying for an extension of your visa? You say Yes since its your first FLR (M).