Spouse visa expire time

[Rory]

I have just done a search and can not find this answer.

Once a Spouse visa is granted, how long does the wife get to book and fly here before it expires?

[Terpe]

I have just done a search and can not find this answer.

Once a Spouse visa is granted, how long does the wife get to book and fly here before it expires?

Being granted a Spouse visa allows you entry to the UK for a period of 27 months. The UK Spouse Visa will be valid between the 'valid from' and 'valid until' dates. So you can enter UK anytime between those dates
The 'qualifying period' for application of Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is 1 year and 48 weeks. If you leave your entry to UK too late to get this minimum period, you will have to extend your Spouse Visa at high cost, and then apply for ILR and pay again. Very expensive.

[joebloggs]

if your wife leaves within 4 months of the issue date on her visa she shouldn't have a problem getting ILR, if she leaves it any later then she might have to apply for FLR(M) when she is in the UK and then ILR.

but better to minimize the risk of any problems, so get her to the UK within 3 months of the issue date :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Rory]

So, is short you get a 27 month visa and you need to be here for 23 months ( 1 year and 48 months) to qualify for ILR?
So i would not leave it more than 3 months after the date of your visa is granted?

[Rory]

if your wife leaves within 4 months of the issue date on her visa she shouldn't have a problem getting ILR, if she leaves it any later then she might have to apply for FLR(M) when she is in the UK and then ILR.

but better to minimize the risk of any problems, so get her to the UK within 3 months of the issue date :xxgrinning--00xx3:

Just what i though, thank you

[joebloggs]

visa's until recently use to be valid for only 24months :NoNo: and basically you had to be in the UK 23 months (so you had to leave within 28 days of the issue date of the visa) if you left any later you would probably have to apply for FLR (further leave to remain) to extend your visa til you had been in the UK 23months and then you could apply for ILR.

you really don't want the hassle of applying for another visa and paying the fee unless you really have to (my wife had to, as she had a 24month visa and had to take exams in the phils so she had to apply for FLRin the UK before her spouse visa expired)