FLR, Spouse conversion from Fiancée etc.

[Trefor]

We've now got all the planets aligned for giving notice, wedding etc. in August, and I know all about applying for FLR so Rose can work etc. We will be doing this after we return from a visit to the Philippines in early October. However, what do we do to turn the Fiancée Visa into a Spouse one? Maybe I'm missing something, is FLR the same thing?

Thanks.


T/.

[rusty]

As you came on Fiancée visa, after your wedding all you need to do is apply for FLR.

[Trefor]

Thanks. So in order to get a Schengen visit visa does she just need her passport/Fiancée visa and marriage certificate? Or does she have to wait for the FLR to come through?

Thanks.

[Terpe]

Trefor,

To be honest you will find significantly less problems to secure a schenghen visa after marriage and after the issue of FLR.

Strictly speaking the applicant must be resident in the UK and have been granted leave to remain for more than 6 months.
Additionally, the applicant's UK visa must exceed the return date of the proposed trip by more than THREE months.

Having said that I have known a few cases where a schenghen visa was in fact granted to applicants who, although married in UK, had not at the time applied for FLR and still only had a fiance(e) visa.
Just what ALL the details involved were I don't really know, it may well have been a discretionary decision by the specific embassy but let me just say that these cases are exceptionally rare and not in strict compliance with requirements.

[Trefor]

Thanks Terpe - Might investigate, especially if FLR apps take so long.

Rose's sister lives in Rome you see, and while I'm on an airplane most weeks and as a result Euro weekend breaks are not my idea of fun, but it would be a nice trip for her. (I'm actually typing this from LHR departures!).

T/.

[Terpe]

As a regular traveller with plenty of time to read and research you may be interested to read The Schengen Visa Handbook

Page 92 section 3.2 may also be useful.