Request to postdate a visa, is it from the time you apply or when issued?

I've heard it said you can post date a spousal visa for 3 months, but is this 3 months from when you apply or 3 months from when the visa is issued.

Also, how can you specify a date if you don't know whether you'll get a visa or not?

I believe it's related to the date you provide under when you plan to travel. They then date it from that date.

It's from the date you apply online... so, if you were to apply online today, on March 28th, the latest travel date you could put on your application form is June 28th. The date you put on the form is the date the visa will be made valid from.

If it takes longer than the date you have specified, then it will be made valid from the date it is issued by the consulate.

As you won't know when exactly the visa will be approved, you'll want to put down the earliest possible date you might want to travel... because you don't want to end up wanting to travel earlier, but having to wait until your visa is valid.

Bunyip,

Thanks for the info.

If the visa is for 27 months but you only need 24 months to be physically there, is the 3 months a grace period of when you would like to enter or do you have to enter the UK the day it is issued?

I'm just trying to cover my bases.

Let's say I apply for a spousal visa with a post date of July. If the visa is granted, is the first three months a grace period, that's 3 of the 27 months visa?

It's from the date you apply online... so, if you were to apply online today, on March 28th, the latest travel date you could put on your application form is June 28th. The date you put on the form is the date the visa will be made valid from.

If it takes longer than the date you have specified, then it will be made valid from the date it is issued by the consulate.

As you won't know when exactly the visa will be approved, you'll want to put down the earliest possible date you might want to travel... because you don't want to end up wanting to travel earlier, but having to wait until your visa is valid.

Hey, thanks! That's useful to know.

If the visa is for 27 months but you only need 24 months to be physically there, is the 3 months a grace period of when you would like to enter or do you have to enter the UK the day it is issued?

No, the 3 months is extra on top of the 3 months and 28 days you have once the visa becomes valid... so technically you could give yourself a total of 7 months between your application date and entering the UK.

Technically, you can enter the UK on your visa at any time during the 27 months... however, if you leave it for longer than 3 months and 28 days after the valid from date, you won't be able to apply for ILR in 2 years (because your visa will expire before you qualify for it and you will have to pay for another spousal/FLR(M) visa).

Let's say I apply for a spousal visa with a post date of July. If the visa is granted, is the first three months a grace period, that's 3 of the 27 months visa?

Say you apply and post-date it July. You will then have until November to enter the UK on your visa and still be able to qualify for ILR before it expires.

Obviously, though, the earlier you enter the UK, the earlier you can qualify for ILR .

Thanks for the info ksand24,

I want my daughters to finish their school year and get some dental work done before we move, assuming we get a visa.

there's so little time, it's stressing me out, esp. with the upcoming changes to the family settlement route.

I just got permission to continue my job in the UK as a contractor, I work with computers, now have to figure out the accommodation arrangements.

expatbrit

I asked for mine to be post dated because I wasn't 21 (old stupid rules).

They didn't bother, so I still had to wait!