Go Back   Expat Forum For People Moving Overseas And Living Abroad > Europe > Britain Expat Forum for Expats Living in the UK

Britain Expat Forum for Expats Living in the UK The Britain Expats forum is a community of people that have moved to the UK from overseas. This is the place for Expats to meet and discuss anything about the British way of life.

Uk citizen wanting to marry us citizen please help!!


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Search this Thread
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 31st March 2011, 11:32 PM
Expat Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 19
Rep Power: 0
HannahD is on a distinguished road
1 likes given

Users Flag! Originally from uk. Users Flag! Expat in uk.
Default Uk citizen wanting to marry us citizen please help!!

Hello, I'd be REALLY grateful if you could help me!! I am a UK citizen and my boyfriend is a US citizen, we have been together for 3 years and he has been visiting the UK regularly. In September I am visiting the U.S for a couple of weeks and we would really like to get married but all the rules and everything is getting me down and I'm really confused!!

Is it possible for me to travel to the U.S as a normal tourist and marry him? If so can I then return to the UK when my stay is complete? I have a job and university course to get back to so I would never be able to stay in the U.S. After we are married, will i be able to enter the U.S and him the U.K again (just to visit)? because on websites I have been reading they say that I would not be allowed to enter because they would think i was intending on staying. This is not the case because my boyfriend will be moving to the UK instead when I am old enough to apply for a spouse visa (i am only 20) It's just that I'm worried that if we are married we will not be granted permission to visit each other until we file for a spouse visa because the Immigration officials in either country would be suspicious. Sorry if I've rambled and asked too many questions, I just really need some help and guidance. Would really appreciate it. Thank you

Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 1st April 2011, 12:45 AM
Joppa's Avatar
Moderator
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Sunny Lancashire
Posts: 10,231
Rep Power: 9256
Joppa has a reputation beyond reputeJoppa has a reputation beyond reputeJoppa has a reputation beyond reputeJoppa has a reputation beyond reputeJoppa has a reputation beyond reputeJoppa has a reputation beyond reputeJoppa has a reputation beyond reputeJoppa has a reputation beyond reputeJoppa has a reputation beyond reputeJoppa has a reputation beyond reputeJoppa has a reputation beyond repute
1029 likes received
150 likes given

Users Flag! Originally from uk. Users Flag! Expat in uk.
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by HannahD View Post
Hello, I'd be REALLY grateful if you could help me!! I am a UK citizen and my boyfriend is a US citizen, we have been together for 3 years and he has been visiting the UK regularly. In September I am visiting the U.S for a couple of weeks and we would really like to get married but all the rules and everything is getting me down and I'm really confused!!

Is it possible for me to travel to the U.S as a normal tourist and marry him? If so can I then return to the UK when my stay is complete? I have a job and university course to get back to so I would never be able to stay in the U.S. After we are married, will i be able to enter the U.S and him the U.K again (just to visit)? because on websites I have been reading they say that I would not be allowed to enter because they would think i was intending on staying. This is not the case because my boyfriend will be moving to the UK instead when I am old enough to apply for a spouse visa (i am only 20) It's just that I'm worried that if we are married we will not be granted permission to visit each other until we file for a spouse visa because the Immigration officials in either country would be suspicious. Sorry if I've rambled and asked too many questions, I just really need some help and guidance. Would really appreciate it. Thank you
You have grasped the situation well and have described some of the issues involved.

First, yes you can just enter US as a visitor and get married - no special visa required. Just ask your US boyfriend to check up on local regulations. Some require extra paperwork and/or blood test. You can then return to UK while your new husband stays in the US until you reach 21.

Now about visiting each other after you are married. You are correct in stressing the need to allay the suspicions of immigration staff about your hidden intentions - to live long-term, to work and settle illegally. So you need to have convincing supporting evidence that your trip is no more than a visit. You will need, among other things, a letter from your employer or course leader that you are expected back by a certain date. Enough funds of your own to pay for all your expenses of travel and of stay (recent bank statements), plus a sponsoring letter from a host where applicable. And keep each visit relatively short - no more than a few weeks rather than a few months, with a fixed-date return ticket. If pressed, be honest and say you are doing this until you are old enough for a settlement visa to be issued to your husband.

Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 1st April 2011, 10:02 AM
Expat Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 19
Rep Power: 0
HannahD is on a distinguished road
1 likes given

Users Flag! Originally from uk. Users Flag! Expat in uk.
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Joppa View Post
You have grasped the situation well and have described some of the issues involved.

First, yes you can just enter US as a visitor and get married - no special visa required. Just ask your US boyfriend to check up on local regulations. Some require extra paperwork and/or blood test. You can then return to UK while your new husband stays in the US until you reach 21.

Now about visiting each other after you are married. You are correct in stressing the need to allay the suspicions of immigration staff about your hidden intentions - to live long-term, to work and settle illegally. So you need to have convincing supporting evidence that your trip is no more than a visit. You will need, among other things, a letter from your employer or course leader that you are expected back by a certain date. Enough funds of your own to pay for all your expenses of travel and of stay (recent bank statements), plus a sponsoring letter from a host where applicable. And keep each visit relatively short - no more than a few weeks rather than a few months, with a fixed-date return ticket. If pressed, be honest and say you are doing this until you are old enough for a settlement visa to be issued to your husband.
Hi, thank you very much for that information, I thought that would be the case. I'm assuming the same applies for him if he wants to visit me here? If we do these things can I be almost postive that we will be allowed entry? It seems like doing things the legal way is more trouble that doing it illegally! I really appreciate your help!

Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 1st April 2011, 06:01 PM
Joppa's Avatar
Moderator
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Sunny Lancashire
Posts: 10,231
Rep Power: 9256
Joppa has a reputation beyond reputeJoppa has a reputation beyond reputeJoppa has a reputation beyond reputeJoppa has a reputation beyond reputeJoppa has a reputation beyond reputeJoppa has a reputation beyond reputeJoppa has a reputation beyond reputeJoppa has a reputation beyond reputeJoppa has a reputation beyond reputeJoppa has a reputation beyond reputeJoppa has a reputation beyond repute
1029 likes received
150 likes given

Users Flag! Originally from uk. Users Flag! Expat in uk.
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by HannahD View Post
Hi, thank you very much for that information, I thought that would be the case. I'm assuming the same applies for him if he wants to visit me here? If we do these things can I be almost postive that we will be allowed entry? It seems like doing things the legal way is more trouble that doing it illegally! I really appreciate your help!
I'm afraid there is no such thing as guaranteed entry when immigration is concerned. So much depends on the officer that you happen to meet, whether they give you grief or let you through with a nod and a smile. By doing things the right way, by being upfront and carrying supporting evidence, you both have the best chance of hassle-free passage, but it's just that - a chance and not certainty. Both countries can deny entry to aliens if the officer concerned thinks it's appropriate (usually with the agreement of their superiors/supervisors).

Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 1st April 2011, 08:35 PM
Bevdeforges's Avatar
Moderator
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: deepest, darkest Essonne
Posts: 19,174
Rep Power: 12880
Bevdeforges has a reputation beyond reputeBevdeforges has a reputation beyond reputeBevdeforges has a reputation beyond reputeBevdeforges has a reputation beyond reputeBevdeforges has a reputation beyond reputeBevdeforges has a reputation beyond reputeBevdeforges has a reputation beyond reputeBevdeforges has a reputation beyond reputeBevdeforges has a reputation beyond reputeBevdeforges has a reputation beyond reputeBevdeforges has a reputation beyond repute
1130 likes received
26 likes given

Users Flag! Originally from usa. Users Flag! Expat in france.
Default

Just a thought, Hannah, but why the big rush to get married right now? It will only complicate matters for you to visit each other if you're living apart but married for a year or two until you turn 21 and can sponsor him for a spouse visa for the UK.

If you're not married, it will be easier to come and go for visits (as long as they aren't overly long) and you can truthfully say you're visiting "a friend" or even your "fiancé" for a couple of weeks, as long as you can show that you have to return back home - for school or work or whatever. Once you're visiting your spouse, the assumption is that you're going to be looking to stay.

Gives you both a bit more time to save up for the sponsorship side of the visa and may save you both some hassle at immigration.
Cheers,
Bev

Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)  
Old 1st April 2011, 09:15 PM
Expat Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 19
Rep Power: 0
HannahD is on a distinguished road
1 likes given

Users Flag! Originally from uk. Users Flag! Expat in uk.
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bevdeforges View Post
Just a thought, Hannah, but why the big rush to get married right now? It will only complicate matters for you to visit each other if you're living apart but married for a year or two until you turn 21 and can sponsor him for a spouse visa for the UK.

If you're not married, it will be easier to come and go for visits (as long as they aren't overly long) and you can truthfully say you're visiting "a friend" or even your "fiancé" for a couple of weeks, as long as you can show that you have to return back home - for school or work or whatever. Once you're visiting your spouse, the assumption is that you're going to be looking to stay.

Gives you both a bit more time to save up for the sponsorship side of the visa and may save you both some hassle at immigration.
Cheers,
Bev
Hey, thanks for all of the advice I think I've decided that we are going to wait until when I am established in a career and then it will be a much easier process of getting a spouse visa, because by that time I will have a good income and we will both have savings. In the meantime I can spend summers in the states and we can try to enjoy our lives before we become hamsters in a wheel like life is! I really appreciate all of your time and help

Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
US citizen wanting to marry a UK citizen babystace806 Britain Expat Forum for Expats Living in the UK 106 6th April 2013 12:20 AM
Us citizen Wanting to marry a UK citizen azario Britain Expat Forum for Expats Living in the UK 2 7th October 2011 08:43 AM
Uk Citizen wanting to marry us citizen and live in UK-Money aspect! surfinglifewfhb Britain Expat Forum for Expats Living in the UK 2 30th May 2011 11:12 AM
US citizen to marry dual French/Canadian citizen in France AllisonVSC France Expat Forum for Expats Living in France 4 22nd September 2010 02:24 PM
usa citizen wanting to marry uk citizen maire9 Britain Expat Forum for Expats Living in the UK 2 13th July 2009 06:14 AM

LEGAL NOTICE
By using this Website, you agree to abide by our Terms and Conditions (the "Terms"). This notice does not replace our Terms, which you must read in full as they contain important information. You must not post any defamatory, unlawful or undesirable content, or any content copied from a third party, on the Website. You must not copy material from the Website except in accordance with the Terms. This Website gives users an opportunity to share information only and is not intended to contain any advice which you should rely upon. It does not replace the need to take professional or other advice. We have no liability to you or any other person in respect of any content on this Website.
FORUM PARTNERS

ExpatForum.com is owned and operated by the MoveForward.com Limited group.

Retiring Overseas Guides | Moving Overseas Guides | Cost of Living | Health Care Guides


All times are GMT. The time now is 03:09 PM.


Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2013, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO