Spouse visa queries

Hi,

We've applied for a spouse settlement visa for my wife, who is currently in the Philippines. I was going to pay for the VFS priority service online before her appointment in Manila, but noticed on the VFS website that it mentions a CENOMAR is required for the appointment if we use that service. This seems odd, given we are already married. Presumably my wife wouldn't be able to get one of these now anyway, as our marriage is already registered in the Philippines. Can anyone who has recently used the priority service for a spouse visa confirm that this wouldn't be required for using this service? Perhaps it is only a requirement for fiancee visas.....

I am sending all of our supporting docs directly to Sheffield from here in the UK, so for her appointment she would only need to bring her passport, a copy of the online application, the appointment confirmation doc and the various payment receipts?

On a different note, I understand that if granted the visa must be used within 30 days. My wife is pregnant, and hearing the stories about how long it is taking for visas to be processed, I am worried it will be too late for her to fly by the time we would get the visa. Can this 30 day period of time be extended in any way after the visa has been issued? Can the date on the visa be altered afterwards if she is unable to fly?

My last query is about the CFO sticker. After a visa is granted, how long would it typically take to get an appointment for the seminar etc? Is there a long turn around time between getting the visa and then applying to get the CFO sticker?

Thanks in advance for any help with these queries!
Cheers
Rod

Hi Rod..I sent all our docs and things from here in the UK last Saturday and my mrs went to the vfs in cebu the week before..All she took was her passport,online application and the confirmation of payment and appointment and IHS payment receipt..I tracked my docs there and they got there Monday morning but I've not had any word to say they have received them yet...don't forget any old passports too mate.

Using priority at the moment is a waste of time it's taking as long as standard application. We got our visa in 58 days using standard, some on here who applied priority are still waiting. They may have issues in their application though. Best to check and treble check you have all the requirements and all your financial are spot on correct before submitting. Booking the CFO is very quick, you can get appointment within a few days, or can be done before she gets her visa although she can't get the sticker until the visa starts.

Thanks very much for the replies. Yeah I'm really in two minds about whether to pay extra for the priority service. I understand at the moment it probably won't make a big difference in the waiting time, but given my wife is pregnant and time is a factor for us, I figured it might be worth a shot, even if it only makes a week or two difference....

Its worth checking on policies of airlines on pregnant ladies flying,not sure if there is a cut off before due date.

Thanks, yeah I've checked this with the airlines. Most airlines won't allow flying after week 36 of the pregnancy (which would be the end of November in our case). That's why I wondered if we got the visa and then it was too late for her to fly, whether the start date of the visa can be extended or amended after it has already been issued.

In the back of my head Ive got a feeling I have read something on it will look further sunday

Thanks very much for that!

the 30 day travel window is a real pain--to get organised--flights etc. but you can request a change. naturally ( being UKVI ) it costs extra.

Thanks, it's good to know the 30 day window can be changed if necessary. And yes, I would have expected some kind of fee to be involved!

oh--and welcome to the site !

Thanks very much, the site has been very helpful! Such a stressful experience applying for these visas.....

tell us about it--lol. we are about to embark on my wife's sons application.

here we go again.....

It will be a breeze for you both!!!!!!! get ready to give up the MG lol

It sure is..lucky I was balding already...I thought the stress was going to stop once the application was submitted but it seems to be getting worse and I've only been waiting 5 days

you can do no more than wait and plan for your positive result, good luck to you both.

True mate cheers...maybe some extra fishing time might help haha

what was the processing time when you applied for the settlement priority visa service mate

We only did the standard mate because there didn't seem much point doing the other..The woman at the vfs in cebu told my mrs that there was no guarantee about the 60 days as there was delays.So at least a bit of truth.