Vignette transfer

Hi all.

I am thinking of doing a vignette transfer and changing my U.K. Entry date.

Has anyone else here done this ? What's your experience ? It seems like I just do the application part again (like before) and then just send the application and passport off? Can they say no?

Just wanna know how easy it was and the turnaround time and such. And any advice.

Basically I have Til October 9 to enter but it's getting complicated with us still trying to find a house and get my pets over and such.

People have done it.  Usually takes about two weeks.  It's about £120 ish.

Can you travel to the UK in the next couple of weeks and then return to the US to finish things off? 

People have done it.  Usually takes about two weeks.  It's about £120 ish.

Can you travel to the UK in the next couple of weeks and then return to the US to finish things off?

That was the original plan. I actually got a plane ticket .... Thing is I don't have any time I can take away from work. I will come back to no job. So we are weighing the options .... All that's holding up the move is him selling his flat and getting a bigger place. So this could happen soon, or it could take months.

Lots to consider. I could even go for a super super super short trip. Like a few days instead of a good week or two.

Sorry for the ramble.

Can you not just move to the UK now and then find somewhere to live after you get there? Can you stay with family or friends, or even just made do in his flat until it sells?

The whole point of proving accommodation for the visa is so that you have somewhere suitable to live as soon as you arrive and that you don't end up in a situation where you have nowhere to go.

Can you not just move to the UK now and then find somewhere to live after you get there? Can you stay with family or friends, or even just made do in his flat until it sells?

The whole point of proving accommodation for the visa is so that you have somewhere suitable to live as soon as you arrive and that you don't end up in a situation where you have nowhere to go.

Yes. The place is suitable to live for the two of us......I have 3 animals I'm trying to transport and it's not suitable for them , plus following the rules to get them into the country , i have to wait 3 weeks before they can come.

So. This is why I'm running into the situation.

Of course I have some place to go. But there are some complexities when it comes to my three pets.


So anyway. I'm just weighing the options and was wondering if anyone else here has dealt with a vignette transfer. Nothing is set in stone , we are having difficulty coming to a solid decision on what's best , and was curious to pick others brains ....

Ah, okay.

So anyway. I'm just weighing the options and was wondering if anyone else here has dealt with a vignette transfer. Nothing is set in stone , we are having difficulty coming to a solid decision on what's best , and was curious to pick others brains ....

A couple of of people have done it, or at least asked about it, but not many.

One was a Tier 2 visa, but not sure if she got it sorted or not: http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=87911.msg1143040#msg1143040

Here's another one: http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=86819.msg1134139#msg1134139

This case was slightly different as the vignette had already expired before the applicant even received it (it had the wrong dates on it): http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=87742.msg1141527#msg1141527

Honestly the house buying process in this country is insane.  We bought last year, kept our old house.  The seller was moving in with her partner and it still took over 3 months!

But I understand the complication of animals.  I moved here by myself and had two cats.  I was in corporate housing for a bit so couldn't have my pets there.  They stayed with my parents until I secured a place and then they flew over.

The logistics get hard!

Although the current place is not ideal, would it work in the short term for the animals until you do find somewhere more suitable?

If so, I would forget about waiting until the flat is sold and he gets something bigger, that could take a long time as you said and instead just concentrate on getting the animals over on their time scale.

There are still more than three weeks before the 9th of October so you could still make it without changing your vignette.
I think I saw you mention too that you were considering hiring a pet transportation company, maybe they could even board the pets for a couple of nights just to buy a little extra time and you could go on ahead? You may not be happy with this idea, just trying to throw a few more options into the mix. If boarding them is not an option for you, they should still I imagine be able to get you all ready to go within the time you have available leaving you to concentrate on the rest of the move.

I appreciate everyone's replies. This whole thing is getting a bit stressful and crazy. I long for the day when I'm just over there, and the animals are there, and we can just be a couple and not have to worry so much about this visa stuff.


I guess it makes more sense just to go and get my passport stamped, get BRP, then return. I was just hoping maybe changing my entry date would be simple. It doesn't seem too simple.

Thanks all.

I appreciate everyone's replies. This whole thing is getting a bit stressful and crazy. I long for the day when I'm just over there, and the animals are there, and we can just be a couple and not have to worry so much about this visa stuff.


I guess it makes more sense just to go and get my passport stamped, get BRP, then return. I was just hoping maybe changing my entry date would be simple. It doesn't seem too simple.

Thanks all.

Changing the entry date IS an option, if that is what works for you guys.  Try to sort things one step at a time.  If you need to change the date, then change the date.  The good news is you do have options.   

I appreciate everyone's replies. This whole thing is getting a bit stressful and crazy. I long for the day when I'm just over there, and the animals are there, and we can just be a couple and not have to worry so much about this visa stuff.


I guess it makes more sense just to go and get my passport stamped, get BRP, then return. I was just hoping maybe changing my entry date would be simple. It doesn't seem too simple.

Thanks all.

It can be completely overwhelming. Every one thing depends on the result of something else.
All you can really do is keep plugging away and knocking things off your list of things that have to be done, one at a time. And only you know what order makes the most sense.
Keep your chin up though, you have your visa, that's huge! 

OMG thanks so much for the kind words and encouragement. That's what I need haha. I feel like I'm struggling through this madness alone!

There sure are options. I just wish I knew what was BEST. And also when his flat would sell. Ahhhhhh. Ok. Rant over.


Thanks everyone <3

Sometimes when I'm really struggling to make my mind up about something, I just let it go for a couple of days and refuse to dwell on it any more. When I re-visit the question a little later, I often know by then what is best.

It sounds simplistic I know but maybe if you just take a step back for a short while, things might appear clearer to you.

There sure are options. I just wish I knew what was BEST. And also when his flat would sell. Ahhhhhh. Ok. Rant over.

As mentioned, it's going to take around 3 months from him accepting an offer on the flat to the flat actually being sold (if all goes smoothly), so maybe take selling the flat out of the equation for now and concentrate on the things you can do sooner (and that you can have some control over)?

I bought a house earlier this year - my offer was accepted mid-January, contracts were exchanged mid-March, completion was late March and I moved in April... and that was faster than I was expecting. I was assuming I wouldn't be able to move until May.

What are your short-term options for housing? Can the pets spend any time in the flat as a temporary measure, or could you get a short-term let until the flat is sold? Can the pets stay somewhere else (or even stay with someone in the US and move them later) while you're sorting out the flat?

Ok. Weird question ... When I look online about vignette transfer , there is an application for it but it says to move the vignette to a NEW passport.


Is this still the right thing ? I can't find anything else. It's all so vague online. I emailed someone about it but they were far less than helpful.