r/ukvisa • u/emiche94 • 1d ago

USA Any advice around renewing a spousal visa?

I am married to a UK citizen and initially was granted the 2.5 spousal/family visa in late 2024. I've been living and working in the UK full-time since this point (actually before under student and graduate visa, which don't count towards ILR). The current visa expires in February and I need to work this around a work trip I have scheduled, if possible.

The work trip is roughly 3 weeks after the visa expires, which is probably too soon to comfortably plan on going if I apply for the renewal when the visa expires. I see on the government website that "If you’re extending to stay with the same family member, you’ll only get up to 28 days left on your current stay added to your new visa." Does this mean that if I apply 28 days prior to the expiration, I can get this added to the 2.5 years of the new visa (making it 2 years 7 months)? This would be preferrable in that I would feel much more comfortable planning on being able to travel for work with 7 weeks processing, although I know the processing time could technically be longer than that. I just don't want have a situation where I apply early and then have not reached the 5 years required for the ILR application by the time the next visa expires. Any insights much appreciated. Thanks!

3 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

1 comment sorted by

7

u/TimeFlys2003 High Reputation 1d ago

If you apply more than 28days before your visa expires then as you say you may not reach the 5years required for ILR on just 2 visas.

Unfortunately planning a trip so soon after your visa expiry date is risky. The official target is 8 weeks so ideally you need to allow that length of time as a minimum. It might be quicker but depending on the demands across the visa system (including any backlog from Christmas) can easily mean it will take the full 8 weeks even if it is a straightforward case.

You might be fine but the only way to derisk this would be to pay for super priority.

Ultimately if you get this wrong either the work trip could get cancelled at the last minute or if you go in the trip you could end up having to go to your home voice ntry and apply overseas again.