FLR(M) confusion

Hello all, since last time I posted asking questions, I received my fiancee visa in May, and just got married on the 26th of October in the UK:)

Now here is where I get to freak out a bit!

Unfortunately, me and my hubby (who is from the UK) were mislead in information about the next step, so now I'm rushing to figure out what I'm supposed to do next and fork over another large wad of cash

So my question comes about the process with this FLR(M) form: do the biometrics that I had done for my fiancee visa in April not go towards this process then? Frustrating if not considering the form for that costs more than this FLR does!

Also, what was the benefit of them asking if (on the forms for the fiancee visa) once we were married, I would be staying here and living with him and working once I was able to if now I have to worry about getting this stuff sorted in time? Is there a different process for someone changing from a fiancee to this or is that just wishful thinking?

Is there anything else I'll need besides marriage certificates, wedding photos and id's considering I've already had to send them in-depth information for a fiancee visa (as well as a COA we had done way before, unfortunately couldn't get back in time to use that)? I feel like a sponge that's just being wrung out completely of money and energy!

And another stupid question...when I was filling the form out, what exactly does this question mean? :

"Is this the first time you have applied for a visa or extension of stay in one of the above categories with your current partner? If this is the first time with a fiance(e) or proposed civil partner, answer No."

I wasn't sure what that is asking...I said Yes to that question since now we are married, but I wasn't sure if that was bringing in the fiancee visa at all.

Sorry if these are all simple answers...my head is hurting from all this crashing down on me right after the ceremony and I'm just worrying what I need to do and how to do it, and my fiancee visa itself runs out in mid-November so I'm at a loss as to whether doing this the much cheaper route by mail would still be ok, or if I should do it in person.  Thank you for any input!

1. You have to do biometrics again, they don't 'carry over'. Once you post off your FLR(M) you'll receive a letter a few weeks later advising you to do biometrics and giving you options as to how to do it.

2. They ask if you'll be living together because in order to be eligible to FLR(M) you have to live together and stay living together as husband & wife. So it's a relevant question.

3. For required documentation you need to consult the actual FLR(M) form as it lists everything that you need to send.

4. As far as the question you've quoted not sure, I didn't go the FLR(M) route hopefully someone who has will be able to share their experience.

Is there anything else I'll need besides marriage certificates, wedding photos and id's considering I've already had to send them in-depth information for a fiancee visa (as well as a COA we had done way before, unfortunately couldn't get back in time to use that)? I feel like a sponge that's just being wrung out completely of money and energy!

As far as wedding photos, when I did my FLR(M) a couple years ago I didn't include any photos. The marriage certificate was enough.

So my question comes about the process with this FLR(M) form: do the biometrics that I had done for my fiancee visa in April not go towards this process then? Frustrating if not considering the form for that costs more than this FLR does!

With the biometrics, I don't think the one you did for the fiance(e) visa carries over so you may have to do that one again, I believe...someone will correct me on this if I am incorrect.

So my question comes about the process with this FLR(M) form: do the biometrics that I had done for my fiancee visa in April not go towards this process then? Frustrating if not considering the form for that costs more than this FLR does!

You have to have biometrics taken every time you apply for a visa - this is to verify that you are who you say you are and that you are the same person who received the fiance visa... (i.e. someone could try to apply posing as you and they need to prevent this from happening).

Also, what was the benefit of them asking if (on the forms for the fiancee visa) once we were married, I would be staying here and living with him and working once I was able to if now I have to worry about getting this stuff sorted in time? Is there a different process for someone changing from a fiancee to this or is that just wishful thinking?

You are applying for a new visa and the FLR(M) visa is for people in many different types of visa situation - the form is the same for everybody. Your situation is that you are switching from a fiance visa to an FLR(M) visa, but the next person might be switching from a work or student visa to an FLR(M) (i.e. they married a Brit while on a work/student visa), so they will not have provided this information for their work/student visa application in the past. Also, as WebyJ said, they need to verify that your situation is still the same and you won't be living separately in the UK (i.e. you could have used the visa to get into the UK, but not have been planning to stay in a real marital relationship once you had your visa... i.e. fake marriage to get into the country.)

Also, the fiance visa information went to the consular officers living in the US and working at the UK consulates there... the people processing your FLR(M) visa are in the UK and may not have seen the paperwork that you provided for your fiance visa.

my fiancee visa itself runs out in mid-November so I'm at a loss as to whether doing this the much cheaper route by mail would still be ok, or if I should do it in person.  Thank you for any input!

As long as you send the application off (or attend your in-person appointment) before your visa expires, you will be fine and you will stay in legal immigration status while it is being processed. However, the cheaper route by mail is likely to take about 4 months to be processed and you cannot work until you have received your FLR(M) visa and ID card, whereas with the same-day service, you could work as soon as you got your visa and ID card... about 1-2 weeks after your appointment.

Ah thanks all for the clear-ups, some of the things I was asking/was confused about were just out of annoyance having to do everything to repetitively!

I wasn't sure if I were to do it by post or in person, but the thought of not being able to work for another 4 months isn't a pleasant one...so may have to go the personal route.  Thank you for clarifying though that I would be alright staying while I post this by mail if my fiancee visa runs out, that makes me feel better!

Now it's just the question of that question on the FLR(M), other than that you guys have been a big help! Have to give my head a rest now as I got myself worked up a bit about it.  It's hard not having someone 'in the know' all the time, but I've always loved this forum for first-hand advice and experience people have with this:)

when I was filling the form out, what exactly does this question mean? :

"Is this the first time you have applied for a visa or extension of stay in one of the above categories with your current partner? If this is the first time with a fiance(e) or proposed civil partner, answer No."

This question is worded TERRIBLY!  It was when I got to that question that gave up using the online form.  It's phrased differently on the paper form, and as there's no requirement to use the online system, I'm going with the easier option!

If you decide to go with the in-person application, save yourself the panic attack and just call them up.  Due to family complications, we had to move our wedding date at the last minute.  According to the online system, there wasn't another appointment until after my fiancee visa expires.  When I called them, fully expecting to be told there wasn't anything in the two days I had until my visa expired, she said there were loads of appointments on both days!  I don't know why they don't put everything online, but if you don't see what you want, definitely give them a call.

Good luck!