Spouse visa effective date?

[Esthi]

Hi all! I'm in the process of applying for my UK spouse visa. I just wanted to find out when the visa will be effective from?

I am currently on a student visa, so I am applying from inside the UK. Currently my student visa is still valid until end of November 2012. I however want to travel back home and then come back in the middle of Oct 2012. If the spouse visa is only effective from the day my student visa expires will I be allowed back in the country in Oct? I know that they always request at least 6 months left on your visa, but surely they will be fine if they saw my new visa starting after the other one expires.

Any ideas on this topic?

Thanks

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by Esthi

Hi all! I'm in the process of applying for my UK spouse visa. I just wanted to find out when the visa will be effective from?

I am currently on a student visa, so I am applying from inside the UK. Currently my student visa is still valid until end of November 2012. I however want to travel back home and then come back in the middle of Oct 2012. If the spouse visa is only effective from the day my student visa expires will I be allowed back in the country in Oct? I know that they always request at least 6 months left on your visa, but surely they will be fine if they saw my new visa starting after the other one expires.

Any ideas on this topic?

It doesn't work like that.
Unless you specify otherwise, your FLR as spouse will be valid from the day they issue it, and will supersede your existing student visa - there's a rule you can't have two leaves running at the same time. As postal application takes many months to be processed - and you will be without your passport the whole time, I suggest you book a same-day premium service for extra £300 or so and get your new leave issued on the spot, and biometric residence permit within a week.

[Esthi]

Originally Posted by Joppa

It doesn't work like that.
Unless you specify otherwise, your FLR as spouse will be valid from the day they issue it, and will supersede your existing student visa - there's a rule you can't have two leaves running at the same time. As postal application takes many months to be processed - and you will be without your passport the whole time, I suggest you book a same-day premium service for extra £300 or so and get your new leave issued on the spot, and biometric residence permit within a week.

Thank you so much for your answer. Yes, we are planning to get the premium service. Don't want to take the risk of it taking too long to be processed.