FLR(M) questions

Hello all,

My last post on this forum was in 2018, back when we received approval for my wife's UK spouse visa. Time has clearly flown by since then, as we're now nearing the expiry date of her BRP. We are about to apply for her spouse via extension and I was wondering if someone could help help clarify a few questions please:

1. Currently, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic it looks like FLR (M) applications are taking approximately 5-6 months to process. Is this time frame correct?
2. My spouse has an unwell family member and there is a possibility that she may have to travel back home next month; however, my understanding is that this would not be possible while her application is being processed (without voiding the application itself) - is this correct?
3. Is there any indication as to when priority processing will resume? We were hoping to apply via ‘priority service’ or ‘super priority service’ to allow her to travel back to her home country next month (if required), but it looks like this will not be possible either.

We would be very grateful for any insight. Thanks!

Welcome back .

1. Currently, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic it looks like FLR (M) applications are taking approximately 5-6 months to process. Is this time frame correct?

I think they're generally taking around 3-4 months at the moment (normal processing time is 8 weeks), though it may be faster in some cases.

People who applied online in August and submitted biometrics using the IDV app in September were receiving their visas in December. However, I believe they were processing applications with biometrics submitted at appointments even faster than that, and all biometrics are done by appointment instead of the app anyway as they stopped using the app a couple of months ago.

2. My spouse has an unwell family member and there is a possibility that she may have to travel back home next month; however, my understanding is that this would not be possible while her application is being processed (without voiding the application itself) - is this correct?

That's correct.

3. Is there any indication as to when priority processing will resume? We were hoping to apply via ‘priority service’ or ‘super priority service’ to allow her to travel back to her home country next month (if required), but it looks like this will not be possible either.

There's only one priority service offered for FLR(M) applications:

The £800 24-hour Super Priority Service, which gets the visa decision made within 24 hours of the biometrics appointment, and then the BRP is mailed within 10 working days.

Unfortunately, though, it has been unavailable since March 2020 (when the UKVCAS centres closed) and we don't know when it will resume.

Welcome back .

I think they're generally taking around 3-4 months at the moment (normal processing time is 8 weeks), though it may be faster in some cases.

People who applied online in August and submitted biometrics using the IDV app in September were receiving their visas in December. However, I believe they were processing applications with biometrics submitted at appointments even faster than that, and all biometrics are done by appointment instead of the app anyway as they stopped using the app a couple of months ago.

That's correct.

There's only one priority service offered for FLR(M) applications:

The £800 24-hour Super Priority Service, which gets the visa decision made within 24 hours of the biometrics appointment, and then the BRP is mailed within 10 working days.

Unfortunately, though, it has been unavailable since March 2020 (when the UKVCAS centres closed) and we don't know when it will resume.

Thanks very much for your insight, appreciate it

It's a real shame that you are unable to travel for the 3-4 months+ that it takes for the extension to be processed. I wonder what people with family emergencies do, other than void their applications entirely.

It's a real shame that you are unable to travel for the 3-4 months+ that it takes for the extension to be processed. I wonder what people with family emergencies do, other than void their applications entirely.

If there's a very urgent family emergency, it may be possible to get the application decision expedited by contacting UKVI and/or going through your local MP.

However, travelling outside the UK while it is still processing will likely invalidate the application... particularly if your BRP has already expired, because as soon as you leave the UK, you will lose the right to live here and you will not be allowed back in again, as you will no longer have a valid immigration status in the UK (which would also invalidate the application).

In that situation, you would have to return to your home country and apply for a new spousal visa from scratch, which would reset the 5 years to ILR (as you would have broken your UK residency), meaning you'd have to start the entire visa process all over again.

Thanks very much for your insight, appreciate it

It's a real shame that you are unable to travel for the 3-4 months+ that it takes for the extension to be processed. I wonder what people with family emergencies do, other than void their applications entirely.

They don’t travel or the reset the clock. I can’t think of anyone that has chosen the reset option though.

It’s awful to be away when it’s family.  But sadly, we signed up for it (in a way) by moving away. Big hugs. The distance sucks.