Apply for Work Visa or Fiance Visa?

[dkho_2020]

Hi Everyone,
I am a US citizen and my fiance is settled in the UK with ILR. We plan to get married in several months. I got a part-time job offer in a university in the UK for this year and university offer (to be a student) for the following year. We don't know which way to go... it's a decision between work visa, fiance visa, marriage visa, student visa... please share your opinion with me.

Should I apply for Work Visa and start the job there and then apply for Marriage Visa?

OR

Should I apply for Fiance Visa and go there and then get married and then start the job?


Please help us as we have no idea where to start and which path to take.

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by dkho_2020

Hi Everyone,
I am a US citizen and my fiance is settled in the UK with ILR. We plan to get married in several months. I got a part-time job offer in a university in the UK for this year and university offer (to be a student) for the following year. We don't know which way to go... it's a decision between work visa, fiance visa, marriage visa, student visa... please share your opinion with me.

Should I apply for Work Visa and start the job there and then apply for Marriage Visa?

OR

Should I apply for Fiance Visa and go there and then get married and then start the job?


Please help us as we have no idea where to start and which path to take.

To get fiancé or spouse visa, your UK partner must be earning a minimum of £18,600 a year. You can make up the shortfall through some non-earned income (such as investment and property rental) and savings, at the rate of 2.5 times the missing amount plus £16,000. With fiancé visa, you get 6 months in which to marry in UK and then you apply for further leave to remain as spouse, valid 30 months. You cannot work while on fiancé visa. For spouse visa, you marry first in US, apply for the visa which will be for 33 months. You can start work on arrival.

For Tier 4 adult student visa, you need a confirmed place starting this year. You can work up to 20 hours a week in term time, full-time at weekends and in vacations. You show evidence of being able to pay tuition fees and living cost, at £1000 a month in Central London and £800 elsewhere. You cannot include any money you hope to earn through part-time work.

Tier 2 sponsored work visa will be difficult. You realistically need a job on shortage occupation list, paying over certain amount, by a registered sponsor.

[dkho_2020]

Thank you. Lets say I come and stay in London with work visa or student visa, can I then switch to spouse visa while I'm in London or do I have to leave London in order to apply for spouse visa? Thanks

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by dkho_2020

Thank you. Lets say I come and stay in London with work visa or student visa, can I then switch to spouse visa while I'm in London or do I have to leave London in order to apply for spouse visa? Thanks

Yes, provided the first visa was issued originally for longer than 6 months.