FLR(M) renewal questions

Hello,

I have been very unorganised and realise I really need to get my butt in gear to renew my visa (expires 19 Dec).

I have filled out the application (cross-checked it with the dates I provided on my first FLR app) and paid my IHS fee. I'm waiting until Monday to pay the app fee and submit as I think that firmly puts me within the 28 days - I was originally here on Tier 4 visas so I didn't have the same urgency when switching to my spouse visa.

I've been coming to this board since 2012 when I originally came over (and they put an actual visa in my passport - doesn't seem like that long ago!). I have a few questions that I realise have probably been answered a million times but I haven't been as attentive to this process this time and am only now stressing out and reading posts here makes me realise the process has changed from 2.5 years ago.

1. Are all documents scanned in online now instead of posting them to Sheffield? Do I still need 'original' copies of everything like letters from HR (we all work from home now and electronically sign everything).

1. I thought I downloaded the third party consent forms (my husband and I share a bank acct) but I don't think I did. Do they give me another chance to download those after I submit? I feel like I remember that happening last time but now I'm questioning my memory (plus things have changed).

2. I've contacted HR to provide me all the requisite paperwork and forms. Last time, I had to get all original, signed forms and had to have HR stamp all my electronically issued payslips by hand. Do I need to have HR somehow validate my payslips this time? Again, we all work from home so this might prove more difficult than normal.

3. Do they allow electronic bank statements yet (if things are scanned in) or do I need to find a branch that's open and go print out 6 months of bank statements again and get them to stamp every page?

4. Does the post office still do my biometrics? I've been reading you have appointments at a visa center now? They have 8 years of biometric information for me, will I need to do this again?

I've been so busy at work and I really should have thought about this sooner than, well, now.

Thanks for all your help over the years everyone.

1. Are all documents scanned in online now instead of posting them to Sheffield? Do I still need 'original' copies of everything like letters from HR (we all work from home now and electronically sign everything).

Yes, all documents are scanned and uploaded (including your passport and BRP), but they do still have to be originals. So, electronic payslips must be verified in a letter from your employer, and online bank statements must be stamped by the bank on every page.

There is a little bit of leeway with the documents if you are unable to provide them properly due to Covid, so an electronic signature on the employer letter should be fine. It may help if they include a sentence explaining why it cannot be handsigned though.

1. I thought I downloaded the third party consent forms (my husband and I share a bank acct) but I don't think I did. Do they give me another chance to download those after I submit? I feel like I remember that happening last time but now I'm questioning my memory (plus things have changed).

Not sure, as I haven't filled in the application myself. I would think so, though, as they have to be signed and included.

2. I've contacted HR to provide me all the requisite paperwork and forms. Last time, I had to get all original, signed forms and had to have HR stamp all my electronically issued payslips by hand. Do I need to have HR somehow validate my payslips this time? Again, we all work from home so this might prove more difficult than normal.

Online payslips have never needed to be stamped. Instead, as I mentioned above, they MUST be accompanied by a letter from your employer, on company letterhead, and signed by a senior official, confirming their authenticity.

All the financial documents need to be dated before you submit your online application.

3. Do they allow electronic bank statements yet (if things are scanned in) or do I need to find a branch that's open and go print out 6 months of bank statements again and get them to stamp every page?

They still need to be stamped/signed by the bank on every page.

This is changing on December 1st, and I believe electronic statements will be allowed, but if you are applying before December 1st, they still need to be stamped.

4. Does the post office still do my biometrics? I've been reading you have appointments at a visa center now? They have 8 years of biometric information for me, will I need to do this again?

No, biometrics are no longer given at a Post Office. Biometrics are now done at UKVCAS centres. And yes, you must give biometrics every single time you apply for a visa (and even for UK citizenship)...  this is to confirm that you are still the same person applying each time, and to take an updated photo.

When you submit your online application and pay for the visa, you will sent a link with a registration code for the UKVCAS website. You register with the website and book a biometrics appointment on there. There are different appointment types and different types of UKVCAS centres... and they cost anywhere from £0 to £270 for an appointment.

You also upload your documents to the UKVCAS website at any time before your biometrics appointment. Alternatively, when you book the appointment, you can add the Document Scanning service for £50 and have them scan and upload the documents for you at the appointment.

Thanks so much! You are so helpful.

I think the reason I got my payslips stamped last time is that nowhere on them did it state the name of my employer. They have since added that them. I'll get HR to add another letter confirming they are official.

Interesting about the Dec 1st change - I'll see if I can find the guidance in relation to this. My visa doesn't expire until Dec 19 so could apply Dec 2 if this is the case

Cheers!

Interesting about the Dec 1st change - I'll see if I can find the guidance in relation to this. My visa doesn't expire until Dec 19 so could apply Dec 2 if this is the case

Actually just doing a bit more research, it looks like the changes to the bank statements do NOT apply to Appendix FM-SE applications.

Therefore if you make an application for a fiance/spousal visa, FLR(M) or ILR (using SET(M)) your bank statements must still be stamped/signed by the bank on every page.

Also, any changes to Appendix FM-SE do not come into effect until 31st December anyway.

Latest statement of changes to the immigration rules:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/928751/CCS001_CCS1020373376-001_Statement_of_changes_in_Immigration_Rules_-_HC_813__PRINT_.pdf

And an explanation for the different changes:
https://www.freemovement.org.uk/statement-of-changes-to-the-immigration-rules-hc-813/

From that second link:

Applicants can rely on electronic bank statements without needing to have the bank stamp every page (note that this does not apply to Appendix FM-SE applications).

Thanks, looks like I'll have to go get my online statements stamped. Luckily, I think my bank is open (there are like a zillion Halifaxs in Leeds so at least one should be).

Waiting for the day the Home Office becomes more eco-conscious and sustainable!

One more question actually, you'd think I haven't done this before.

In getting the mail together (the worst part by far for me!), it says to space it evenly over the last two years since the date of my last grant of leave. I was granted leave in June 2018 - for 33 months. Do they want post from June 2018-June 2020 or through until now spaced further apart? I remember I need to space them about every 4 months or so but doing that gives me too much time and too many piece of post.

One more question actually, you'd think I haven't done this before.

In getting the mail together (the worst part by far for me!), it says to space it evenly over the last two years since the date of my last grant of leave. I was granted leave in June 2018 - for 33 months. Do they want post from June 2018-June 2020 or through until now spaced further apart? I remember I need to space them about every 4 months or so but doing that gives me too much time and too many piece of post.

For FLR(M) it’s either:
- a maximum of 2 years ending with the date of application
Or
- since last grant of leave, if it was less than 2 years ago

So, the documents you provide will need to be from:
November 2018
To
November 2020

They should be spaced every 4 months as follows:
November 2018
March 2019
July 2019
November 2019
March 2020
July 2020
November 2020


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's perfect thanks - saves me trying to figure out where any mail from before November is as well.