What is the Date of Application and why it is so important?
Imagine this: you are making an
application today but tomorrow the Rules are changing, which rules would apply?
Or you have made an application a month ago, your visa expires in 2 weeks time
and your application is not going to be decided before then, are you going to
become an overstayer through no fault of your own?
If you are an Immigration Adviser or a Solicitor please visit our immigration Training and CDP website: www.1st4immigration.com/training
A Date of Application idea deals
with such issues. If the date of your application is before the Rules changed
then your application is going to be considered under the Rules in place before
the changes. For example, Spouse/Partner visas rules were significantly changed
on 9 July 2012, yet those who applied before that, even on 8 July 2012, had
their applications considered under the old rules, even if the decision was
made a few months after the rules changed.
If the date of your application is
before your last visa expired then your status remains the same as it was on
the date of application for as long as it takes for a new application to be
considered. However long it takes, even if the last visa expired by then. Officially
it is extended by virtue of section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971, which automatically
extends the ‘last visa’ for as long as it is going to take for a decision on
the new application. This means migrants do not become overstayers through
no fault of their own?
When is the Date of Application? This is determined by the
Immigration Rules and depends whether you are applying inside or outside the UK, whether applying by post or on same-day service and how you are paying a UKBA fee.
For more advice or to make an application please contact us: info@1st4immigration.com or visit www.1st4immigration.com If you are an Immigration Adviser or a Solicitor please visit our immigration Training and CDP website: www.1st4immigration.com/training