Spousal Visa question

Hi,

I'm getting all of the necessary papers, forms, etc ready for the consulate interview and had a question that I hope someone can help me with. I have to schedule my appointment for a time when my wife can be here but she travels - a lot. I know that she's going to be here in October and we were thinking of scheduling the appointment then even though I'm not coming until early January.

However, I've read that if we do this, I will have to renew the visa two years from the date it was issued - Oct 2007 in this case, which will be a couple months short of when I can apply for my ILR. Do I have to completely re-apply in this case in Oct 2007? Is there a grace period? Should I wait until January and hope that there is a spot open at the consulate for an appointment then? I think that we should be an easy approval based on our combined income, lots of proof that we've met, etc but perhaps it would be worth it to get it early and re-apply when necessary?

If anyone has any information I would greatly appreciate it.

Should I wait until January and hope that there is a spot open at the consulate for an appointment then?

I can't answer all your questions but I can say something about this one...  I really don't think you'll have a problem getting an appointment. Which city are you applying in? You can only book appointments two weeks in advance and all the times I looked there were plenty of appointments available. I ended up booking one only 2 days in advance and there were even appointments available on the same day I was making mine.

Also, at my appointment they asked what day I was planning on entering the UK so that they could put that date on the visa. I received my visa around the 20th of May but they put May 31st on my visa because that was when my plane tickets were for.

There is no grace period.  The way things stand now, you would have to apply (and pay for) an extension of your FLR, and then a few months later apply (and pay for) your ILR.

Which city are you applying in? You can only book appointments two weeks in advance and all the times I looked there were plenty of appointments available. I ended up booking one only 2 days in advance and there were even appointments available on the same day I was making mine.

Also, at my appointment they asked what day I was planning on entering the UK so that they could put that date on the visa. I received my visa around the 20th of May but they put May 31st on my visa because that was when my plane tickets were for.

oh, excellent news, thanks. i'm applying here in Los Angeles and i've browsed the site a few times but haven't really checked how booked up it gets. she's going to be here for only a few days so i was afraid that we get unlucky with the timing.

hopefully they will postdate the visa a few months - i will check with the consulate and report back!

thanks again!

There is no grace period.  The way things stand now, you would have to apply (and pay for) an extension of your FLR, and then a few months later apply (and pay for) your ILR.

that's what i thought, i guess that i'll worry about that when it comes. i'd rather have that figured out beforehand than having to do it at the last minute - and also assuming that she'll be here right before i go.

hopefully they can postdate the visa when i get it, otherwise i'll just pay again.

thanks so much!