Visa to expire while passport is with UKBA - COA

[SMSGAR]

I was hoping someone had experience with this on the boards. I am in the middle of applying for a COA to marry my long term English partner. We are aware that we cut it close but applied within the requirement to have 3 months left on my visa.

The UKBA has had our passports and application for 6 weeks and my visa expires in 9.

I feel a bit silly as my job had offered to sponsor me but I declined as I was already planning on getting married and I didn't want them to spend the money (I work for a charity so every penny matters).

I know that a COA is not a visa and does not entitle me to remain in the country. I was wondering if anyone knew if the UKBA would return my passport to me before my visa expires or if I need to contact them and request it's return? (So I can leave and not become an over-stayer)

Of course, I am hoping that we get our COA so the money we have spent on our venue deposit and invitations don't go to waste! But if we don't we will work around it and I acknowledge we did leave the application late but we didn't realise we needed a license to get married until December. But, again, that was our mistake for not properly looking into what my immigration status would mean for our plans.

Anyway, any input is appreciated!

Thanks!!

[geriatrix]

I was wondering if anyone knew if the UKBA would return my passport to me before my visa expires or if I need to contact them and request it's return? (So I can leave and not become an over-stayer)

Yes.


regards

[SMSGAR]

Yes to which one?

Will they return it before my visa expires?

OR

Do I need to call and request its return?

[Greenie]

If you read the information on the link you would see that it advises you how to request your passport back or other documents back.

they won't just automatically send it back to you.

[geriatrix]

Yes to which one?

Will they return it before my visa expires?

OR

Do I need to call and request its return?

Click on the link given above.


regards

[SMSGAR]

If you read the information on the link you would see that it advises you how to request your passport back or other documents back.

they won't just automatically send it back to you.

Considering a COA is not a visa you would think that there would be different processes in place for handling passports and travel documents. Guess not...

[stevenage]

If you read the information on the link you would see that it advises you how to request your passport back or other documents back.

they won't just automatically send it back to you.

Considering a COA is not a visa you would think that there would be different processes in place for handling passports and travel documents. Guess not...

I am facing the same situation, I applied for COA and my visa will expires by 30 april. I applied on 28th January. If i couldnt get COA by 31st March then I shall call my documents back and extend my visa first. And I hope by then in april COA will be scrapped or I have to apply again for COA. Please keep sharing ur experience of COA and then for spouse visa.

Best of luck. Hope you ll get ur COA before ur visa expires.

[vinny]

See also FLR(M) rejection because of overstay.