Terpe can you explain how this isn't this catch 22? Neither link on the UKVI has any real insights... How can you know what the answer to your travel date is when the application time isn't guaranteed? What if a date is specified on the application is before the visa is approved?

The current visa processing times give you a 50/50 shot of getting it within 30 working days currently and 95% within 60.

My wifes TB test is 1st June and her IELTS is 4th June and the plan was to have her fly as soon as everything is approved - my wife will be a rather unhappy woman if her visa/passport arrives in the optimistic 6 weeks but she can't travel until 12 weeks waiting for the travel window to open

Or am I missing something obvious here? Or is the only sensible option put 12 weeks in the future on the application?