Extend FLR early for mortgage application?

[jfsoar]

Hi,

My wife is in the UK on a spouse visa, five year route. I am a UK citizen. We've been here 4.5 years. The further leave to remain will expire in early October, and so we'll be able to apply for ILR in September.

Our house is currently on the market, and we would like to move. As part of this, I am adding my wife to the mortgage so that we can use both our salaries in the mortgage application.

HSBC have approved the mortgage in principle, based on our combined salary, but a requirement is that my wife has at least one year remaining on her visa. We'll need to stay with HSBC unless we want to pay the mortgage exit fee.

We've seen a place we like and would love to press ahead, but as it stands we won't be able to do anything until September at the earliest. Which is just a bit too long to leave people in the chain waiting.

Is there any way around this? For example, could we apply (now) instead for a temporary extension of FLR for a period that would add the needed time to the visa validity period?

Any suggestions much appreciated.

Thanks

John (& Gina)

[CR001]

Yes, you could apply for an extension on FLR(M). You will need to pay the visa fee of £1033 plus the IHS fee of £1000 plus whatever UKCVAS service you choose, for example Super Priority costs an extra £800.

You will then have to pay the ILR fee again which is £2400 odd plus UKCVAS fee. You won't get a refund of the IHS paid if you extend the visa now or the visa fee paid.

[jfsoar]

Thank you very much. So there is no limit to how early we can apply for such an extension? I guess by default that's another 2.5 years, or are there cheaper options by only going for less?

The main problem with this route seems to be the expense, but if we did go ahead it might be cheaper than some sort of short term finance option. Effectively triple paying for NHS seems unfortunate.

First I'll try to talk to HSBC and see if they could accept something else (maybe opinion of an immigration lawyer that they are satisfied we meet the rules for ILR grant?) but I don't have high hopes.

Thanks again.

[CR001]

Thank you very much. So there is no limit to how early we can apply for such an extension? I guess by default that's another 2.5 years, or are there cheaper options by only going for less?

No shorter duration option unfortunately. 2.5 years is the set duration for an extension.