UK Visa Settlement Processing Time

Thank you Shandy 

You can apply for the spouse visa as soon as you're married.  It's multi entry too so you can leave the country and come back etc.

It is multi-entry, but only before you are married. Once you are married, you should not leave the UK until after the FLR(M) has been granted - this is because if you leave before getting the FLR(M), when you try to come back into the UK, you may be refused entry due to no longer meeting the visa requirements... i.e. you are no longer a fiance, you are a spouse so they may decide not to let you in again on the fiance visa (so you would have to return to the US to apply for the spousal visa first).

It is multi-entry, but only before you are married. Once you are married, you should not leave the UK until after the FLR(M) has been granted - this is because if you leave before getting the FLR(M), when you try to come back into the UK, you may be refused entry due to no longer meeting the visa requirements... i.e. you are no longer a fiance, you are a spouse so they may decide not to let you in again on the fiance visa (so you would have to return to the US to apply for the spousal visa first).

Good point, even CIO Dyson wouldn't be that mean, would he?

Thankyou pads!!  
My question now is if we get married in the next two months (which is our plan) can I apply for the spouse visa right away? or do I have to wait the six months?
Can I travel outside europe during fiance visa?

You can apply for FLR(M) right away.

You can leave and re-enter the UK with your fiance(e) visa as many times as you want; HOWEVER, once you get married, you may not be able to re-enter the UK with your fiance(e) visa because you will no longer be a fiance(e).

Edit:  x-posted with ksand

Ok, ok I understand. So I can only travel as soon as I get my spouse visa after I get married. now how would an immigration person know if i got married or not?...mm well anyway, is better not to take ANY risks.
How long does the spouse visa can take with a straightforward app?
You apply FROM the UK after your married right?

Balderdash! I completely neglected to do the priority service. Drove 2 hours to Oklahoma City for my biometrics this morning and on my way back home to Tulsa (because I was so excited and relieved that I was DONE!!) I mailed off my documents without first going through the priority service.

I see loads of people talking about how quickly their visas were processed with the priority service but have been having trouble finding recent posts from those that opted out of priority service? Any first hand experience from those of you that may not have used priority?

Also, when I applied online I did the whole "electronic signature" thing at the end of the declaration page. I then printed out a copy of the completed application and sent it off with my other documents. Just now I'm looking at the copy I ran of the visa application and notice that on the declaration page, there's a blank box next to the applicant signature area. Was I supposed to sign that? Because I totally didn't. Figured the "e-signature" was good enough and at no point was I prompted to sign the hard copy.

Let the insane amounts of worry and anxiety begin!

Balderdash! I completely neglected to do the priority service. Drove 2 hours to Oklahoma City for my biometrics this morning and on my way back home to Tulsa (because I was so excited and relieved that I was DONE!!) I mailed off my documents without first going through the priority service.

I see loads of people talking about how quickly their visas were processed with the priority service but have been having trouble finding recent posts from those that opted out of priority service? Any first hand experience from those of you that may not have used priority?

Also, when I applied online I did the whole "electronic signature" thing at the end of the declaration page. I then printed out a copy of the completed application and sent it off with my other documents. Just now I'm looking at the copy I ran of the visa application and notice that on the declaration page, there's a blank box next to the applicant signature area. Was I supposed to sign that? Because I totally didn't. Figured the "e-signature" was good enough and at no point was I prompted to sign the hard copy.

Let the insane amounts of worry and anxiety begin!

Yes, you're supposed to sign the application form, they'll probably ask you to send it in rather than reject it though. 

Someone else posted that they got their visa in 7 days without using priority, I guess it varies a lot though.

Yes, you're supposed to sign the application form, they'll probably ask you to send it in rather than reject it though. 

Someone else posted that they got their visa in 7 days without using priority, I guess it varies a lot though.

Should I wait to hear from them? Or just send it in now?

Ugh. I am just worried sick over this now. NO WHERE does it say "Hey doofus, don't forget to sign the COPY you just printed off" and the declaration page isn't even at the end of the print out, it's floating about in the middle. I never would've thought to look for it.

I now have a killer headache and want to cry. I could puke and I feel like the biggest buffoon on the damn planet.

Mimibeth, dont stress too much.  The whole process is stressful and people are bound to make mistakes.  If you have everything in order, and you meet the standards they are looking for you will be alright.  They will probably email you and let you know you are missing significant documents and to send them ASAP. 

I for instance forgot to include a letter from my spouse (sponsor).  They emailed me asking for this as well as pictures as proof of our relationship.  I don't really understand how a marriage certificate 4 1/2 years old, shared bank accounts and a mortgage with both of our names isnt sufficient enough, but alas they wanted more.  If they email you just know that its a formality that you will be processed once they receive it. Stay positive!  I did non-priority and was processed within 2 weeks. 

Don't be so stressed over this matter mimibeth! it can happen to many of us...its common, cause this whole thing is stressful and we care so much about it, and therefore sometimes forget silly things!
I understand If you stress waiting for the answer, cause its something that we cant help, but over that signature thing, just for that DONT worry, the worst that could happen is that they call you so you can send them your signature missing, or who knows having all your documentation maybe they wont even care...but if they do, I believe they absolutely wont refuse your application on that basis.
Don't torture your self for that and be patience (I know is hard), but try, all of us have gone through it.
PS: I didn't include my fiance bank statements and i still got approved...i do not advise anyone to omit them...but you see, every case is relative and you will be OK  

Should I wait to hear from them? Or just send it in now?

Wait to hear form them, I believe you cannot send anything else unless they ask you for it.

Balderdash!

I just wanted to quote that.


Anywayyyy, took me 24 business days without priority to get my visa approved. (Not including weekends and holidays). I can't stress enough how you shouldn't stress! You will spend the next few weeks searching the board for every instance someone was refused a visa, convince yourself that you made every mistake possible, and that not only will you be denied a visa, but they'll make fun of you on the Graham Norton show as well.

Relax. They will probably email or call to get your signature; people have gotten visas with more grievous errors than that.

Wise words nicole just said, Wise words

Good lord, you guys are great. I pretty much burst into tears, stomped up the steps and slammed my bedroom door when my dad said to me "So, Mom tells me you sent everything off today! That's great!"

Yep. Definitely the actions of a 28 year old woman, eh? Needless to say, my nerves are shot. I miss my husband so much, I'm SICK of living with my parents (I know I'll miss them when I'm gone but having been on my own for so long, it's REALLY difficult adjusting to living with them) and I've had to get rid of my dog who was totally my "child". I'm ready to start reaping the benefits of being in Wales with my sweetheart!

Also, I'm now SUPER nervous over the fact that from what I've gathered, other people were charged $1349 for their visa application but I was only charged $1149. I don't know what the difference is? I've checked, double checked and triple checked that I did the correct application. What's the deal?