Are UK visas issued from the day mentioned in the application or from the day they've been processed by the consulate?
I had twice a UK visit visa, both issued for 6 months from the date the visa was approved by the ECO.
Recently, I came across information that now ECOs issue the visa from the date you mention as your travel date. For example, if I apply in the last week of December 2017, and my travel dates are from February 5 to 10, 2018, then the 6-month visa is issued from February 5 onwards, and not from the date it is approved by the ECO.
Is this true? Are there such changes in the UK visit visa?
Best Answer
The effective date of an entry clearance normally is the same as when the entry clearance gets issued.
However entry clearance officers are advised to try to match the dates with what was requested and can defer the start date of a visa for up to 3 months. Whether this happens in a specific case is not guaranteed.
An applicant needs to make sure they clearly mention their travel plans and possibly request this deferment in the details section. If you don't request deferment of the start date explicitly then you leave it on the discretion of the ECO to assess whether issuing your entry clearance immediately will possibly cause extension applications later on.
Do request it clearly if you need it, even then its not a given.
4. ECB9.4 Validity of entry clearance
The validity of the entry clearance and the leave to enter given are normally the same. The ECO should check the applicant’s visa application form (VAF) for the proposed date of travel in order to prevent unnecessary applications for an extension of stay, and possible claims for a refund of the extension fee.
There are two significant dates on the entry clearance:
The ‘effective’ date which is the date on which the entry clearance is issued (and therefore the date on which the applicant can travel)
The ‘expiry’ date which is the date when the entry clearance will not be valid for travel to the UK, and nor will it confer leave to enter. The ‘expiry’ date for applicants who qualify for ILE should represent the expiry date of the applicant’s passport and does not indicate an expiry of ‘indefinite leave to enter’
...
5. ECB9.5 What if applicant is not intending to travel straight away to the UK
The ECO should check the applicant’s visa application form (VAF) for the proposed date of travel in order to prevent unnecessary applications for an extension of stay, and possible claims for a refund of the extension fee.
Where an applicant may not intend or be able to travel to the UK immediately following their application they can apply for a visa at any time before the date of travel to the UK, however, we can only defer the start date of the visa up to a maximum 3 months from the date of application
Guidance ECB09: entry clearance vignettes: types, safeguarding and validity
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What does your UK visa application has been issued mean?
Your uk visa application has been issued email from ABDH means your UK visa has been issued . In the same email they ask you to make sure to check details on your visa when collecting passport. This is more clearer way to tell you that your visa is approved.Where is issue date on UK visa?
The visa validity date is shown on the vignette, where it states: 'visa valid for the United Kingdom from (date) until (date)'. Since June 2019 the \u201cCAT D\u201d vignette (figure 2) is used for almost all categories including visit, employment, study and settlement.How long does it take to get UK visa after application?
Visit the UK Standard visitor visa applications are currently taking on average 6 weeks to process. We are working hard to process applications to get back to the 3-week service standard.How are UK visas issued?
A visa is usually either a stamp you receive in your passport or a document given by a UK consulate or embassy in your country of residence. If you are issued a visa, it means that you are eligible to enter the UK and that you meet the requirements of the particular visa that you have been given.REASONS FOR DELAY OF CERTIFICATE OF SPONSORSHIP COS // NEW UK VISAS APPLICATION PROCESSING TIME
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