Visa and similar questions for UK

[mulder_149]

Originally Posted by debitopia

Maybe another option for you...? I'm a U.S. citizen and my UK citizen boyfriend and I were married at the courthouse on one of his trips over for a visit. Oregon is an easy State to get married in as they don't require either party to be an Oregon resident and they don't require any other documentation except for birth certificates and I.D. for both parties and a small fee. Very simple and straightforward. Now we're onto the marriage Visa process so we can live in UK together. Hope this helps.

Well this would be nice but another reason we picked the UK instead of the 8 plus months I was told by a lawyer the USA takes to a shorter UK time, and my Fiance is an EEA settled party in the UK which from what I understand makes it different for us to get married and live there together. I have a rather odd situation right now so I am waiting to file my paperwork until next month, I just hope it doesn't take 6 months to get my Visa.

[mulder_149]

Originally Posted by debitopia

Maybe another option for you...? I'm a U.S. citizen and my UK citizen boyfriend and I were married at the courthouse on one of his trips over for a visit. Oregon is an easy State to get married in as they don't require either party to be an Oregon resident and they don't require any other documentation except for birth certificates and I.D. for both parties and a small fee. Very simple and straightforward. Now we're onto the marriage Visa process so we can live in UK together. Hope this helps.

After reading what some have mentioned about EEA family permits and just getting married in the USA while visiting, it seems that might be our best option. Problem we both have right now is I am out of the country with work until the end of next month, and the UK Fiance Visa from the I hear can take months, as I said before we are tired of being apart and adding another 6-8 months just is depressing. So what we discussed earlier today is this and I am looking for some feedback, positive and negative is appreciated.

I return home October 24th, get her to come visit, mind you she gets through US Customs *fingers crossed*, we get married in the USA with no intent to stay longer then necessary, then I can apply and hopefully get the EEA family permit.

It seems this has worked for others in the past, and it will get us together the quickest. I have read many topics on the net about this and it seems like a good idea my only concern is getting the EEA family permit, as it asks for marriage date, in my mind I believe it might spark some concern while attempting to go through the process they will see the marriage has just taken place and be suspicious. I mean I am not looking for a reason to get to the UK for other reasons, I have a decent job in the USA and in fact I am sure I will be taking a pay cut by doing this. So I hope to hear what you guys think about this idea. Give it to me straight, I can take it

[izzysmum04]

Originally Posted by thegirl

whats the difference between a fiance visa and a spouse/marriage visa? i got the idea it wasnt much different except an extra piece of paper (the wedding certificate) but there must be an advantage if people choose one over the other.

The main difference between both visas are that with a fiance visa, you are not allowed to work at all, while you are permitted to work on a spousal visa. Also, if you are already planning to marry, the cost would be less. You would marry in the US, then be able to immediately apply for a spousal visa (£585). If you apply for a fiance visa (£585), you would have to get married in the UK within 6 months, and then immediately turn around and apply for a spousal visa (£585). That's a total of £1180 out of pocket, all in a course of 6 months.

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by izzysmum04

The main difference between both visas are that with a fiance visa, you are not allowed to work at all, while you are permitted to work on a spousal visa. Also, if you are already planning to marry, the cost would be less. You would marry in the US, then be able to immediately apply for a spousal visa (£585). If you apply for a fiance visa (£585), you would have to get married in the UK within 6 months, and then immediately turn around and apply for a spousal visa (£585). That's a total of £1180 out of pocket, all in a course of 6 months.

If you enter on a fiancé(e) visa, you apply for Further Leave to Remain (Marriage) or FLR(M) valid 2 years, which costs £465 by post or £665 in person. If you get married outside UK and enter on a spouse visa, it's only valid for two years and you have to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (Marriage) or ILR(M) a month before your two years is up, at the cost (presently) of whopping £820 by post or £1020 in person. So the difference in cost is £465, still a large amount. But cost shouldn't be the only consideration. There may be a good reason why a couple want to get married in UK, rather than elsewhere, such as family consideration and custom (British brides traditionally marry in their parish church). And in the overall cost of a wedding, some may feel £465 isn't that much of a burden!
Every couple should decide what is best in their own circumstances.