reserving flight w/o paying?

I'm curious how to reserve a flight w/o paying for it further than 3 days in advance? Because thats the longest length of time we've found from an airline, and it says on the ukvisas site to reserve a flight but not pay for it....if I reserve a flight for 3 days in the future it A) Wont be on the right date and b) will be astronomical!!!

Also anyone know of a way to contact the consulate and get them to reply w/o waiting 10 yrs or calling the number for $2.10 a minute? I cant even call 900  #s from this phone  've emailed them but they havent bothered to write me back.

Edited because I forgot to ask..my passport was stamped with a limited leave to remain stamp, no work or recourse to public funds...I was never given any paperwork just a slip saying they had searched my bags. I was allowed to stay one month (I went home 2 days early because of my sons birthday anyway). So from what I can tell I wasn't denied entry?

I was looking at apply for a visa last year after being denied entry. I read the same thing and was trying to do the same thing as you. I called a couple airlines, a couple travel agents and a place that helped process visas and they all told me it wasn't possible so I don't know how the UKvisas site expects anyone to do it. Maybe someone here knows how but I couldn't find anyone who could help.

You can't do it. When I hold flights for customers it will only give us a 3 day period of holding flights. But we can go in and requote it but if the seats are sold out it may make the flights more expensive.

The longest that a flight may be held direct with a scheduled carrier is 3 days.

Sometimes a consolidator will hold them for a short period of time.

Thats what I thought...so do I just show them the reservation that the airline sent me and hope that that satisfies them, or should I not include it at all?

What is it you are applying for?



Victoria

I'm applying for a 2-year visitor visa, which was what the site said was the most economical option, we didnt want to have to reapply once the 6 month visa ran out. I know theres a chance they may take it down to 6 months, or deny it altogether, but  I really hope not, as I said we dont want to be forced to marry to be able to see each other. We considered that for about a day and realized we just arent ready for it.

As I said we're not engaged...and even if we were it wouldnt be 6 months before we got married, so fiancee visa just doesnt make sense at this point. Hopefully the ECO will see this and not be thinking I am trying to settle, because Im not.

You are looking to settle though.  A two year stay is not a visit.  It's a settlement. 

i called that # today. they were reassuring that if i had all of the proper documents that i should apply for the visa. they said its not even worth risking it the second go around without a solid backup plan. basically i paid 20 bucks for them to tell me something i already knew.

You are looking to settle though.  A two year stay is not a visit.  It's a settlement. 

I am doing what the IO told me to do. 

I am doing what the IO told me to do. 

The IO didn't tell you to apply for a 2 year visitor visa.  The IO told you to get a visitor visa because you were denied entry.  Even after you rang the consulate, they were suspicious of your asking about a 2 year visitor visa.  That's what you said anyway.  You'll get a short term visitor visa (ie for 6 months) but you are looking to settle for 2 years as a probationary period with your boyfriend.  It's doubtful you'll get it because that isn't the intention of a visitor's visa.  The consulate is well aware of people trying to bend the rules to suit their circumstances. 

I don't think you should book the flight until you have the visa.  It won't make any difference to the application anyway.

Then again, I still don't think you need to apply for this visa, and if you were a client I would advise you not to.


Victoria

If I do apply for this and am denied, is that going to affect my chances of getting into the country on my own? Is that why you wouldnt advise applying for it? I'm a bit lost on why its bad to apply for a visa...

If I do apply for this and am denied, is that going to affect my chances of getting into the country on my own? Is that why you wouldnt advise applying for it? I'm a bit lost on why its bad to apply for a visa...

I'd think if you applied for that visa & got denied,then tried to enter under the 6 month visiting visa,it might wave some red flags,and you'd probably wouldnt be allowed to enter as a visitor

I'd think if you applied for that visa & got denied,then tried to enter under the 6 month visiting visa,it might wave some red flags,and you'd probably wouldnt be allowed to enter as a visitor

Thats what I'm worried about...this whole thing is causing me loss of sleep, I feel physically ill from all this stress and worry and wondering whats going to happen..I just want to find a way to see my bf w/o having to marry him.

They are not going to give a 2 year visitor MEC based upon a romance.  6 months yes, they'll do that, but 2 years?  No chance. 

It's the most economical option, but there needs to be a good reason for them to issue one.  And bf's/gf's in love doesn't stand as a good reason.