Recently, we had to apply to extend my wife's Spouse Visa for UK. I can say that it has been a relatively painless experience. It has been however, an expensive experience. The application costed £811 and the UK Healthcare Surcharge was £500 (£200 per year). There were some other charges for the Biometric Residence Permit Card and so on. All in all it has become quite expensive but not more difficult.
We followed everything to the letter outlined on the GOV website. We downloaded the Application Form FLR(M) and the guidance notes that goes with it from HERE. Provided all the paperwork required in the application. Sent it away. Within a week we had a letter inviting my wife to go and have her Biometric details given at a Post Office that has the facilities. For us the nearest Post Office was in Romsey. Nice parking space not far from the Post Office. The process took less than 5 minutes. And then the Post Office does the rest.
We then waited for almost 8 weeks and the Biometric Card came through. There was no visa in the Passport, so you will need the Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) when entering in to the UK again. And that is all. All our original paperwork was returned as we did not provide scanned copies. Some paperwork was retained that was intended only for that application like references and such.
The main things that we had to be very careful about is the financial situation and the veracity of our relationship. These two things need ample evidence. You must provide more than required almost to leave no doubt about it. We even got references from respectable people that know us about our relationship.
We followed everything to the letter outlined on the GOV website. We downloaded the Application Form FLR(M) and the guidance notes that goes with it from HERE. Provided all the paperwork required in the application. Sent it away. Within a week we had a letter inviting my wife to go and have her Biometric details given at a Post Office that has the facilities. For us the nearest Post Office was in Romsey. Nice parking space not far from the Post Office. The process took less than 5 minutes. And then the Post Office does the rest.
We then waited for almost 8 weeks and the Biometric Card came through. There was no visa in the Passport, so you will need the Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) when entering in to the UK again. And that is all. All our original paperwork was returned as we did not provide scanned copies. Some paperwork was retained that was intended only for that application like references and such.
The main things that we had to be very careful about is the financial situation and the veracity of our relationship. These two things need ample evidence. You must provide more than required almost to leave no doubt about it. We even got references from respectable people that know us about our relationship.
I am glad that we did not need a solicitor, because that would have costed us much more. We were able to read carefully and provide everything required.
Hope your experience is as easy and fruitful.
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