Extending a fiance visa

Hi everyone, I hope you're all well

My fiance from the US arrived to the UK in April on her fiance visa. Our wedding was planned for end of August (her visa expires on 19th Oct).

Currently the registrars are not allowing the Notice of Marriage meetings that have to proceed the wedding by 28 days. We were still planning to marry at the end of August with just two witnesses and have moved our reception to June 2021.

Our issue is that if the Notice of Marriage meetings are still not allowed in July then we can't marry in August, and are cutting it fine for getting the spouse visa done in time.

Has anyone any experience with trying to extend a fiance visa? Does it cost? I'm making the assuption that the government will acknowledge they are putting the brakes on weddings so will automatically extend fiance visas by six months.

Many thanks
Phil

In my 13.5 years on this forum, I have never heard of anyone being able to extend a fiancé visa. It’s essentially impossible.

HOWEVER, given the current unusual circumstances, I assume they will have some provisions in place.

At the moment, though, they are only allowing visa extensions out to July 31st, so given that your visa doesn’t expire until October 19th, all you can do is wait and see what happens. I assume that if there are still issues by the end of July, they will allow further extensions (though a full 6-month extension is very unlikely).

Bear in mind that you only have to submit your online application for FLR(M) by October 19th, you don’t need to have the visa processed by then, so that still gives you until September to give notice and still be able to marry and apply for FLR(M) before October 19th.


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I suspect you’ll be able to marry by October 19.  It won’t be the wedding you wanted, but you’ll be able to get it done.  I like to think you’ll have a chance in the next 4.5 months!   

Thanks for the replies. Good to know we just need the FLM submitted by 19th October. Fingers crossed the registrars will start accepting meetings soon.

Regards
Phil

I've just noticed that they have updated the UKVI guidance visas during Coronavirus and they now have a provision for being able to extend fiance visas by 6 months.

See:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-uk-visa-applicants-and-temporary-uk-residents

See here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-uk-visa-applicants-and-temporary-uk-residents

From that page:

If you’re applying to enter the UK or remain on the basis of family or private life
There are temporary concessions in place if you’re unable to meet the requirements of the family Immigration Rules to enter or remain in the UK due to coronavirus.

If you’re unable to travel back to the UK due to coronavirus travel restrictions and your leave has expired, a short break in continuous residence will be overlooked. You are expected to make your next application as soon as possible.

Fiancés, fiancées or proposed civil partners
If you’re here with 6 months’ leave as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner and your wedding or civil ceremony has been delayed due to coronavirus you can either request an extension until 31 July 2020 by updating your records with the Coronavirus Immigration Team, or apply to extend your stay for a further 6 months to allow the ceremony to take place.

Thanks, good to know
Phil