Good morning, British Filipino Friends! Just want to share that my first FLR has been granted yesterday in Cardiff. In other words, we got 30 months of visa free worries Anyway, we decided to go to Cardiff for in-person/premium service (we don't want to wait for 8-12 long weeks). Let me start in how we process our documents. I must say it is less nerve-wracking than the entry clearance application. However, we still get confused in how to fill out the forms and what papers to provide. But thanks to the amazing people here in the forum and again would like to mention @Timmers for guiding us along the way. These are the sites we have to go through in the application process: https://www.gov.uk/remain-in-uk-family FLR Guidance Notes: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...a/file/376014/FLR_M__guidance_notes_11-14.pdf FLR (M) Form updated (November 2014): https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/370360/FLR_M__11-14.pdf Booking an appointment and Payment process: https://apply.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/iapply.portal Filling out the Form Though some would say FLR is 'easier' once one has already done with entry clearance, I even had a hard time filling out my name! The maiden-married name dilemma In the long run, I now understand that in filling out the application form, it should be the name that appears in the passport or travel document- regardless if you're married or not. Funny thing when we receive the letter of my FLR approval, my name title is Mrs. My Maiden Name ( Don't I sound like my mother???) It's okay NOT to fill out the Payment Details page if you already paid for the fees online. And it's okay to put your married name in the online payment process. Documents we submitted Please note that some would find the papers we provided are unnecessary. We tend to submit more just to play safe. > Online Payment Sheet > FLR (M) Application Form > e-mail confirmation of booking an appointment > Sponsor and applicant's previous and current passports > Sponsor and applicant's birth certificates > Marriage certificate > Sponsor's registration certificate as British citizen > Applicant's CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage) issued in the Philippines > Applicant's NBI clearance issued in PH > Applicant's English (IELTS) results > Sponsor's bank statements > Sponsor's payslips > Sponsor's P60 > Sponsor's employment contract > Accommodation details: tenancy agreement, letter from landlord stating that they are aware of me living in the flat, flat pictures, flat description and floor plan > Wedding photos > Applicant's TB screening certificate > Proof of correspondence of sponsor: TV licence, tenant insurance, council tax, tenancy agreement, bank statement, P60 > Applicant's proof of correspondence: Letters from Boots, Nectar, Tesco, Amazon I realized that it is not mandatory for the applicant to provide at least six items of correspondence if he/she lives in the UK for less than 2 years. Booking for An Appointment We booked our appointment 2 weeks in advance. We chose Wednesday at 9:10AM. At Cardiff Upon arrival at General Building, Newport Road, Cardiff, there were security personnel who checked the appointment confirmation e-mail, asked my name and the names of my companion ( my husband and mum-in-law). I gave them our full names. We were subject for inspection prior to entering the office. Were asked to empty our pockets, surrendered our bags, watches, belts and passed through a scanner. Liquids that are flammable are not allowed in the Home office. First, we went to the reception, introduced myself and got a priority number. It seemed that I was the first applicant of the day. In just 5 minutes, they collected our documents. The officer was happy we provided photocopies of each original document. In just 10 minutes, my number was called for Biometrics, photograph taken and asked to wait for the decision. That was the time I saw applicants coming in along with their partners and children. The 3 of us just chatted while watching BBC in the waiting area until my number was called once again. The officer congratulated us while handing the letter of the grant. We were told to await for the delivery of my Biometrics Residence Permit (BRP) within 7-10 working days. We went out the Home Office very happy and pleased. Took us only an hour there. It was such a lovely day-- nice weather, FLR granted, the chance to see the beauty of Wales and shopping
Well done! We've got our second one in November. Those 30 months soon fly past. It's definitely worth going in person - particularly first time as you can start working once you get it.
Exactly. So you only got 27 months left for ILR, isn't it, Maharg? Did you do it by post the 2nd time?
Haven't done it yet. It's this coming November when we need to do it. At first I thought we'd do it by post as it didn't affect anything, but as it gets nearer I think we'll probably do it in person and get it over with.
I see. Might convince my husband to go to Solihull, Birmingham next time just to have a look on a different place. I would like to go back to Cardiff, though.
Hi Anne what was your route for your visa. Was it if Fiancée - FLR - FLR - ILR route or was it Spouse - FLR -ILR route? The reason I ask because of the additional documents you submitted in your FLR (not actually mentioned in the FLR itself), i.e. NBI, CENOMAR, Sponsors employment contract & wedding photos. Did you submit those as part of you entry clearance because you come through fiancée route? I see section 12B (spouses and civil partners) need to submit Marriage Certificate. This requirement is only needed if it is a "first extension" application. I'm not sure if our first FLR would constitute as first extension application or not. We submitted our Marriage Certificate as part of our entry clearance on Spousal Visa. Anybody care to comment/thoughts on this. Is it our first extension or not. I guess it's no harm to include the marriage certificate regardless but would like others thoughts on this. My understanding was that FLR was more of a formality than anything else and that the important documents are the Passports, Biometrics, Financials, English Test, Sustaining relationship, i.e. formal correspondence (basically letters from recognised bodies, council water companies, mortgage statements, telephone bills, etc etc - in either both partners names or individually). And the 12B section mentioned above (marriage certificate) clarification please BF members.
Easy answer is to include a marriage certificate. It's much easier than even thinking about whether to or not. Cenomar is never needed for any UK visa.
Hiya HaloHalo! We are on Fiancee-2FLRs-ILR route. The NBI and CENOMAR are part of the additional supporting documents in my entry clearance application. My husband and I decided just to insert those 2 in the FLR. The marriage certificate is one of the most important document, in fact, the case officer made sure we submitted it. Whether it's a fiancée or spouse visa, if it's your first time to apply for FLR, that would still be considered as 1st extension.
Thanks Anne, very well said.. Its not that hard as expected? just finished for 1hour... Sounds great,, i will have mine soon in Liverpool. All the documents u provide the same documents u passed in VFS Manila right??
@Nickel this is the thread I was talking about. I applied my 1st FLR February 2015, that was before the IHS.
