When does the 6 months on the fiancee visa start?

Well, as it says in the subject lol, when does the 6 months on the fiancee visa start? Is it from the date the visa is obtained or from the date of entry to the uk?

Thanks

Mike

Date of entry as stamped by the IO.  However, your visa start date should be the same as the day you enter.  That's why the consulate asks you when you plan on arriving in the UK.

Well, as it says in the subject lol, when does the 6 months on the fiancee visa start? Is it from the date the visa is obtained or from the date of entry to the uk?

The 6 months starts ticking from the date on the visa and expires at midnight 6 months after that.  For residence purposes the IO's stamp is the controlling reference.  Two different laws use two different activation times.

Upon arrival in the UK, the holder of a fiance visa is entitled to infer that the IO can exercise Paragraph 32 and thereby extend the expiry date so that the fiance can take advantage of the full leave authorised.  But I have never seen this happen in practice; and I suspect it means that nobody has ever offered sufficient grounds.  Or more likely, that nobody has ever attempted to use Paragraph 32.  Take your pick.

so, as i understand it, the 6 months is from the date on the visa, but you can influence the date on the visa by telling them when entry is planned?

Yes.

Thank you! 

Hey thanks for asking this question.  As always I can grasp some of the most complex parts of the immigration laws, but then simple things like the start date of the visa escape me.

That's ok Stuart, I'll be sure to ask more silly questions! lol

I had my visa start on the day they approved it, as the entry clearance officer asked me when it should start, since I wasnt sure when I was leaving (they were saying it may not have been a same-day application, but it was ). However if you have the tickets bought and know thats the day you are leaving they will generally make it start that day, I believe you can have about 3 months or so leeway...not 100% on that last bit though.

In my case its only, I think one weeks difference, and we are getting married in 3 months time anyway. Ive been here a bit over 2 weeks so well within the visa time frame.

My return ticket wasn't until a week after I had my appointment. She asked when I wanted it dated for and I said asap,she smiled and  made it valid the same day and I called the airlines and got the next flight back