Immigrating to the UK

Superman007 · #1 (**permalink**) 11th January 2011, 06:25 AM

Hello,
I currently live and am a citizen in the US. My Girlfriend lives in the UK. We have had a long distance relationship for 4 1/2 years. I want to move and live in the UK, however, I've taken the online tests to try and get a temporary work permit but I do not qualify. It seems that the only way to get into the UK is marriage and my GF has agreed to do this. We don't necessarily want to get married this early, but it seems that there is no other option since I want to move there in the next 3-4 months....any help???

Also: If we do get married would it be beneficial to get married in the US first, apply for the visa then I migrate to UK? Or would it be better to just go to the UK, get married there and start the visa process? Can I actually go to the UK with my visitors visa and get married?

And If we get married in the US, does the embassy require both of us to show up for an interview in person or is everything done by mail?

Thanks for your help!

Superman007 · #2 (**permalink**) 11th January 2011, 06:33 AM

What is a biometrics appointment? I'm assuming its a interview with the consulate. Do both partners have to be present for this appointment? Or just the applicant trying to migrate to UK?
Thanks

Bevdeforges · #3 (**permalink**) 11th January 2011, 07:58 AM

I've spun your question out into a thread of its own to try and attract a bit more attention.

First of all, check some of the threads posted here on the forum. There has been lots of discussion lately about spouse visas and the benefits of marrying in the US vs. UK, etc, etc.
Cheers,
Bev

Joppa · #4 (**permalink**) 11th January 2011, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bevdeforges

I've spun your question out into a thread of its own to try and attract a bit more attention.

First of all, check some of the threads posted here on the forum. There has been lots of discussion lately about spouse visas and the benefits of marrying in the US vs. UK, etc, etc.
Cheers,
Bev

Very briefly, no, you cannot just turn up in UK with a visa waiver (visitor's leave for 6 months) and get married. To marry in UK and stay on, you have to get a fiancé visa in advance from the British consulate.
Your fiancée can come over on a visa waiver and get married in US - you will have to follow whatever local regulations there are in your state or city, such as blood test and giving notice. Then you will have to apply for a settlement visa as a husband of British citizen. You first make an online application. Biometric appointment is just for you - your fingerprints are scanned and a digital photo taken. Then you have to mail or take in supporting documents, and wait for your visa. Face-to-face visa interview is rare in US, though you may get a phone call for some clarifications. If you pay for priority - extra $300 on top of $1200 visa fee - you will get a reply within two weeks, often less. Without priority you may have to wait up to 10 weeks.
The choice between marrying in UK and US is up to you, but most people find it's less hassle and probably cheaper to marry in US first, as you save on a second application soon after marriage in UK for further leave to remain.
See https://www.visainfoservices.com/Pag...g=Welcome_Page

Superman007 · #5 (**permalink**) 11th January 2011, 08:07 PM

Thanks so much for all the info!

My girlfriend arrives to the US next week for about one week. If we decide to get married does she need to apply for some kind of a visa in order to marry a US citizen on US soil (she is a British citizen)?

Thanks for your help!

Superman007 · #6 (**permalink**) 11th January 2011, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bevdeforges

I've spun your question out into a thread of its own to try and attract a bit more attention.

First of all, check some of the threads posted here on the forum. There has been lots of discussion lately about spouse visas and the benefits of marrying in the US vs. UK, etc, etc.
Cheers,
Bev

Thanks, can you send me some links to the other threads that they were posted on?

Bevdeforges · #7 (**permalink**) 11th January 2011, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superman007

Thanks, can you send me some links to the other threads that they were posted on?

Click on the search function in the menu bar just above the thread. Set it to search for "spouse visa" within the Britain forum and you'll get a whole page of threads where the issue has been discussed.
Cheers,
Bev

Joppa · #8 (**permalink**) 11th January 2011, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superman007

Thanks so much for all the info!

My girlfriend arrives to the US next week for about one week. If we decide to get married does she need to apply for some kind of a visa in order to marry a US citizen on US soil (she is a British citizen)?

No, just the usual visa waiver will do. Make sure you meet any local requirements, and you need to get the official state or city marriage certificate for settlement visa application. The trick is that once the officiant has signed the marriage license, offer to take it personally to the state/city vital record office so that a certificate can be obtained without undue delay.

Superman007 · #9 (**permalink**) 12th January 2011, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joppa

No, just the usual visa waiver will do. Make sure you meet any local requirements, and you need to get the official state or city marriage certificate for settlement visa application. The trick is that once the officiant has signed the marriage license, offer to take it personally to the state/city vital record office so that a certificate can be obtained without undue delay.

ok, it looks like we just need to get the state marriage certificate on the spot! Thanks a lot for that info.

Going back to my original post, I just needed to know one more thing-

I currently live and am a citizen in the US. My Girlfriend lives in the UK. We have had a long distance relationship for 4 1/2 years. I want to move and live in the UK, however, I've taken the online tests to try and get a temporary work permit but I do not qualify. It seems that the only way to get into the UK is marriage and my GF has agreed to do this. We don't necessarily want to get married this early, but it seems that there is no other option since I want to move there in the next 3-4 months....any help???

At this point is marriage the only way?

Joppa · #10 (**permalink**) 12th January 2011, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superman007

ok, it looks like we just need to get the state marriage certificate on the spot! Thanks a lot for that info.

Going back to my original post, I just needed to know one more thing-

I currently live and am a citizen in the US. My Girlfriend lives in the UK. We have had a long distance relationship for 4 1/2 years. I want to move and live in the UK, however, I've taken the online tests to try and get a temporary work permit but I do not qualify. It seems that the only way to get into the UK is marriage and my GF has agreed to do this. We don't necessarily want to get married this early, but it seems that there is no other option since I want to move there in the next 3-4 months....any help???

At this point is marriage the only way?

Seems that way. If you don't qualify for a work visa on points-based system (not many do), there are other options like study. But to get a study visa, you need to be enrolled usually at a degree-level course or above, pay the tuition fees and all your maintenance without working. You can't come as an unmarried partner as you haven't lived together for 2 years, and as a visitor you can only stay for 6 months with no work and no extension.
To get a fiancé or marriage visa, you need to have met, be aged at least 21 and meet all the maintenance and accommodation requirements as detailed in Maintenance & Accommodation (MAA).