Spouse visa extension/renewal questions

Hi everyone! I’m now in the process of preparing for the renewal/extension application for my spousal visa, and I’ve checked the UK Visa & Immigration site to understand the process/requirements and even called the visa contact centre to clarify some of the guidelines….however I’m still confused specifically with the timing and some of the requirements so I thought it might be helpful if I post my questions and seek advice from this forum.

Just a quick background about my visa status – my spouse/partner (standard) visa was approved in December 2018. As per the UK visa approval letter I received, my spouse/partner visa is valid from 10th Dec 2018 to 10th Sept 2021. I arrived in the UK on 18th December 2018.

Here is a list of my questions regarding the visa renewal/extension application:

1. When is the earliest I can submit my application?
- When I called the UK visa contact center they advised me to submit only within 28 business days before my visa expires, which if my calculation is correct the earliest I can submit is 3rd August. However, when I was checking websites of some of the immigration advisers, I’ve read somewhere that I can do it soon after I reached my 2 yrs. & 6 months here…so now I’m confused

2. This might be a silly question, but is my spousal/partner visa same as FLR (M)? Apologies, I checked the approval letter I received back in 2018 but cannot seem to find the term FLR (M) anywhere in the letter.

3. Proof or residence in UK / Cohabitation documents
- On the first year with my husband in UK, we just co-lived with my husband’s cousin where the lease contract was under his cousin’s name. So I’m not sure what other proof I can provide aside from the copies of official mails in each of our names, would that be enough as proof? No problem for the second year though, as we are now renting on our own and the contract is both under our names.

4. Regarding the proof of English language knowledge – on my first round of visa application I used the 2 certificates from UK Naric (English language proficiency and Academic qualification level statements) to prove my knowledge of English. Can I still submit the same certificates? FYI, there’s no expiration/validity end-date indicated on the certificates provided by NARIC… as to my language proficiency level I have CEFR level C1.

5. Visa processing time – Are there any delays due to covid and might take longer than 8weeks? What about the ‘super priority’ service, is it still available or suspended/affected due to covid?

That’s about what I can think of right now, mostly the main questions concerning me at the moment. Would greatly appreciate all your help and advice.

Welcome .

Just a quick background about my visa status – my spouse/partner (standard) visa was approved in December 2018. As per the UK visa approval letter I received, my spouse/partner visa is valid from 10th Dec 2018 to 10th Sept 2021. I arrived in the UK on 18th December 2018.

Here is a list of my questions regarding the visa renewal/extension application:

1. When is the earliest I can submit my application?
- When I called the UK visa contact center they advised me to submit only within 28 business days before my visa expires, which if my calculation is correct the earliest I can submit is 3rd August. However, when I was checking websites of some of the immigration advisers, I’ve read somewhere that I can do it soon after I reached my 2 yrs. & 6 months here…so now I’m confused

The call centre is pretty useless and known for giving incorrect advice.

The earliest you can apply is 28 days before you reach 2.5 years in the U.K.

So, if you entered the UK on December 18th 2018, you will reach 2.5 years on June 18th 2021... therefore you have been eligible to apply since May 21st 2021.

You can apply at any time between May 21st and September 10th 2021.

2. This might be a silly question, but is my spousal/partner visa same as FLR (M)? Apologies, I checked the approval letter I received back in 2018 but cannot seem to find the term FLR (M) anywhere in the letter.

FLR(M) is an in-country extension visa for people married to UK citizens. It is only issued inside the U.K. so your spousal visa is not an FLR(M), but the visa you need to apply for now is an FLR(M). A spousal visa is an LTE (Leave to Enter the UK ) visa while what you apply for now is an FLR visa (Further Leave to Remain in the U.K.).

3. Proof or residence in UK / Cohabitation documents
- On the first year with my husband in UK, we just co-lived with my husband’s cousin where the lease contract was under his cousin’s name. So I’m not sure what other proof I can provide aside from the copies of official mails in each of our names, would that be enough as proof? No problem for the second year though, as we are now renting on our own and the contract is both under our names.

You only need to provide 1 item of mail in each of your names dated every 4 months over the last 2 years... so if you have mail in your names for that time, then that’s all you need.

If you apply this month, June 2021, you need 1 item of mail in each of your names from the following months:
June 2019
October 2019
February 2020
June 2020
October 2020
February 2021
June 2021

4. Regarding the proof of English language knowledge – on my first round of visa application I used the 2 certificates from UK Naric (English language proficiency and Academic qualification level statements) to prove my knowledge of English. Can I still submit the same certificates? FYI, there’s no expiration/validity end-date indicated on the certificates provided by NARIC… as to my language proficiency level I have CEFR level C1.

Not sure - you’ll need to check the official requirements to see if your previous certificates are still valid, or if you need to get new ones. If they are still valid, they should be fine to use.

5. Visa processing time – Are there any delays due to covid and might take longer than 8weeks? What about the ‘super priority’ service, is it still available or suspended/affected due to covid?

It’s a bit hit and miss with the processing times at the moment. Some people have got their visa processed within a few days and others have been waiting 4 months+.

The Super Priority service is now available again though they are limiting the number of people who can use it, due to Covid. If it is available to you, it will be offered as an option to select when you submit and pay for your visa application.


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And it's advisable to apply closer to the expiration of the visa, as opposed to as soon as you are eligible,  as that will give you more  leeway time wise when it comes to applying for ILR. (Indefinite leave to remain) at the 5 year point.

Thanks Ksand24 and Larrabee for your quick response and for providing guidance. Greatly appreciate your help. I will start preparing the required documents and will take note of your advice. 

@ksand24 - on proof of cohabitation specifically the mails, does it really have to be every 4 months? We don’t have a lot of mails kept in 2019 so I’m not sure if we can provide for those specific months. Does it have to be hard copy mails sent via post or electronically generated mails with our names & address are also accepted? Lastly, are there any specific type of mails which are only accepted?

@larrabee  - Just a follow up regarding the timing of application, the visa call centre did mention that my future ILR application might get affected if I apply earlier than the advised timing (28 days before expiration)…which makes me wonder, usually, how long would the extended/2nd visa be valid? Will it be only good for 2.5years or less?