Moving to England and need someones advice.

[Helopoh]

I live in SC USA and he in Manchester England. Essentially what I am looking for is someone who would be willing to talk to me here (yahoo or skype) and give me a heads up as to what I might expect in this situation. I am not looking for outright advice but someone who can tell me what the time line they used was and what I would need to do to start. I don't feel confident enough to just start paperwork and I have become very overwhelmed in the last few days of all my online reading. (Brain is the consistency of pudding right now)

Simply enough, Yes we are going to be married. Either this November when he comes back or in the following June when his parents are going to come with him. He has already been here once before and we have many years invested in our relationship online as we have been together formally since 01/17/2007. I guess I am looking for a big brother/sister just as far as informational purposes as I know the giving of advice is hard with each situation being it's own entity.

We literally have all the time in the world but I expect that the sooner I get the correct info and started the better it would be.

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by Helopoh

I live in SC USA and he in Manchester England. Essentially what I am looking for is someone who would be willing to talk to me here (yahoo or skype) and give me a heads up as to what I might expect in this situation. I am not looking for outright advice but someone who can tell me what the time line they used was and what I would need to do to start. I don't feel confident enough to just start paperwork and I have become very overwhelmed in the last few days of all my online reading. (Brain is the consistency of pudding right now)

Simply enough, Yes we are going to be married. Either this November when he comes back or in the following June when his parents are going to come with him. He has already been here once before and we have many years invested in our relationship online as we have been together formally since 01/17/2007. I guess I am looking for a big brother/sister just as far as informational purposes as I know the giving of advice is hard with each situation being it's own entity.

We literally have all the time in the world but I expect that the sooner I get the correct info and started the better it would be.

I can't speak to you as such, but what you need to get, following your marriage in the States, is a settlement visa to enable you to join your new husband in UK. Details are on UK in US site (British Embassy Washington DC), with links to the visa partner, WorldBridge. Look at them now and start making a list of what documents to collect. It can take as little as a week to as long as 50 business days for your application to be processed, and if successful, for your visa to be granted. That enables you to live and work in UK for up to 27 months, and after 2 years of residence, you apply for indefinite leave to remain to the Home Office, when all time limit on your stay will be removed. After a further year, you can, if you like, apply for naturalisation as British citizen.

[greeneyes]

Originally Posted by Helopoh

I live in SC USA and he in Manchester England. Essentially what I am looking for is someone who would be willing to talk to me here (yahoo or skype) and give me a heads up as to what I might expect in this situation. I am not looking for outright advice but someone who can tell me what the time line they used was and what I would need to do to start. I don't feel confident enough to just start paperwork and I have become very overwhelmed in the last few days of all my online reading. (Brain is the consistency of pudding right now)

Simply enough, Yes we are going to be married. Either this November when he comes back or in the following June when his parents are going to come with him. He has already been here once before and we have many years invested in our relationship online as we have been together formally since 01/17/2007. I guess I am looking for a big brother/sister just as far as informational purposes as I know the giving of advice is hard with each situation being it's own entity.

We literally have all the time in the world but I expect that the sooner I get the correct info and started the better it would be.

The timelines for visas are everywhere in this forum Check this one out:
Post your UK visa timeline here!

I would recommend you get married in November. The more legit (and long-standing) your relationship before applying the better. I'm a writer not a talker (like many people that hang out in forums) so would not feel comfortable talking to you (or anyone else quite honestly) and I suspect most people on here would feel the same. Maybe once you develop more of a presence on here.

[peppera-ann-]

Originally Posted by Helopoh

I live in SC USA and he in Manchester England. Essentially what I am looking for is someone who would be willing to talk to me here (yahoo or skype) and give me a heads up as to what I might expect in this situation. I am not looking for outright advice but someone who can tell me what the time line they used was and what I would need to do to start. I don't feel confident enough to just start paperwork and I have become very overwhelmed in the last few days of all my online reading. (Brain is the consistency of pudding right now)

Simply enough, Yes we are going to be married. Either this November when he comes back or in the following June when his parents are going to come with him. He has already been here once before and we have many years invested in our relationship online as we have been together formally since 01/17/2007. I guess I am looking for a big brother/sister just as far as informational purposes as I know the giving of advice is hard with each situation being it's own entity.

We literally have all the time in the world but I expect that the sooner I get the correct info and started the better it would be.

Well darlin,
I have been here since April. I think you need to get married asap- the longer your relationship has gone on, the easier it is. I did all of my paperwork myself. and sent it off to a courier service to have it hand delivered.
If you want you can PM me and we can talk about it. I know how hard this is, starting the process is overwhelming and can be scary as h e l l!

[ukforme]

Originally Posted by peppera-ann-

Well darlin,
I have been here since April. I think you need to get married asap- the longer your relationship has gone on, the easier it is. I did all of my paperwork myself. and sent it off to a courier service to have it hand delivered.
If you want you can PM me and we can talk about it. I know how hard this is, starting the process is overwhelming and can be scary as h e l l!

Hi peppera-ann,

This is an amazing site of exchange of ideas for folks in this situation. I really do appreciate the generous offer of ideas and sugesstions.
Here is my situation:
I am a US citizen
planning to marry a UK citizen early next year
Should we marry in the UK or US? What are the difficulties/benefits for either option?
What visa application and from what country should we submit for expediency?
Thanks for any help you may provide

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by ukforme

This is an amazing site of exchange of ideas for folks in this situation. I really do appreciate the generous offer of ideas and sugesstions.
Here is my situation:
I am a US citizen
planning to marry a UK citizen early next year
Should we marry in the UK or US? What are the difficulties/benefits for either option?
What visa application and from what country should we submit for expediency?
Thanks for any help you may provide

As far as complexity and documentary evidence are concerned, they are broadly similar. But if you go for fiancé(e) visa and marriage in UK, you will have to apply again to Home Office for further leave to remain and pay a fee of £475 or £730 for same-day service. If you opt for marriage in US followed by settlement visa, you only need to make one application for a visa, which when granted will be valid for 27 months. In either scenario, you will apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after 2 years' residence. You will have to pass the Life in the UK test.
You will have to add the cost of a ceremony and travel expenses. Other factors couples would want to take into account are the wishes of respective families. Most opt for a ceremony in both countries - one the legally binding one and the other an informal one for the families' benefit or just a reception. In US, you apply for your UK visa in one of the consulates that covers your state, whereas in UK all requests for leave to remain are made to the Home Office Border Agency. Your experience in US may vary depending on which consulate you have to deal with - some have longer processing time than others, for example, but all work to the same rules and procedures. Look at UK in US site (British Embassy in US), World Bridge (visa partner) and Home Office Border Agency, though navigating through myriads of options can be hard going.

[ukforme]

Originally Posted by Joppa

As far as complexity and documentary evidence are concerned, they are broadly similar. But if you go for fiancé(e) visa and marriage in UK, you will have to apply again to Home Office for further leave to remain and pay a fee of £475 or £730 for same-day service. If you opt for marriage in US followed by settlement visa, you only need to make one application for a visa, which when granted will be valid for 27 months. In either scenario, you will apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after 2 years' residence. You will have to pass the Life in the UK test.
You will have to add the cost of a ceremony and travel expenses. Other factors couples would want to take into account are the wishes of respective families. Most opt for a ceremony in both countries - one the legally binding one and the other an informal one for the families' benefit or just a reception. In US, you apply for your UK visa in one of the consulates that covers your state, whereas in UK all requests for leave to remain are made to the Home Office Border Agency. Your experience in US may vary depending on which consulate you have to deal with - some have longer processing time than others, for example, but all work to the same rules and procedures. Look at UK in US site (British Embassy in US), World Bridge (visa partner) and Home Office Border Agency, though navigating through myriads of options can be hard going.

Thanks!!! Good information. Will do follow up on your advice.

[ukforme]

Originally Posted by ukforme

Thanks!!! Good information. Will do follow up on your advice.

My Fiance prefers to marry in UK (family reasons, etc). and I plan to apply for spousal visa after wedding in the UK.
1) Would immigration handle my visa application less favorably?
2) Would there be a delay in processing?
3) Would any other complications ensue with opting to marry in UK?

[peppera-ann-]

Originally Posted by ukforme

Hi peppera-ann,

This is an amazing site of exchange of ideas for folks in this situation. I really do appreciate the generous offer of ideas and sugesstions.
Here is my situation:
I am a US citizen
planning to marry a UK citizen early next year
Should we marry in the UK or US? What are the difficulties/benefits for either option?
What visa application and from what country should we submit for expediency?
Thanks for any help you may provide

Lol- Joppa answered first
Good Luck and keep us updated

[MargeBray]

Have you visited him on his ground? Perhaps you would feel more comfortable if you could arrange a nice long (2 months or so) visit there before getting married. Or as long as your passport will allow. I am not aware of your situation but, I know I would not want to jump in head first. Do not burn your bridges here at home. And do not be afraid to say no, based on a gut feeling. Those gut feelings are very important and you need to listen to them.... this is what I tell my kids..... listen to the little voice inside. Keep your imagination from running wild as well~ try to think of people and situations in the most positive light and out of Love, accepting that what you put out, will return to you. "As a man thinkith, so is he".

~ Just Live ~

Originally Posted by Helopoh

I live in SC USA and he in Manchester England. Essentially what I am looking for is someone who would be willing to talk to me here (yahoo or skype) and give me a heads up as to what I might expect in this situation. I am not looking for outright advice but someone who can tell me what the time line they used was and what I would need to do to start. I don't feel confident enough to just start paperwork and I have become very overwhelmed in the last few days of all my online reading. (Brain is the consistency of pudding right now)

Simply enough, Yes we are going to be married. Either this November when he comes back or in the following June when his parents are going to come with him. He has already been here once before and we have many years invested in our relationship online as we have been together formally since 01/17/2007. I guess I am looking for a big brother/sister just as far as informational purposes as I know the giving of advice is hard with each situation being it's own entity.

We literally have all the time in the world but I expect that the sooner I get the correct info and started the better it would be.