I was hoping that anyone with experience in this area could help! I am American, my Fiance is British, I am planning to go to the UK where we will get married - however... We aren't sure of the best/quickest solution, and all of the things I have read are somewhat conflicting. I figure the best advice I can get is from those who have recently been through it! So here are the facts LOL
1. We have know each other 12 years - were engaged 12 years ago - At the time he was going to come here. But due to Visa complications did not get married and eventually lost contact..
Ever since then we have been looking for one another and eventually reunited
2. We have plenty of proof of our relationship. (No problems there).
3. We were planning on my daughter and I moving to the UK, and getting married there (pulled the cart before the horse) Not realizing we would need Visas to go there... Now we know , so not all is lost, hahaha.
4. My heritage is English,Irish,Scots,Welsh - however 4th generation so I can't get the Ancestral Visa.
5. My Ex-Husband (no laughing it wasn't intentional) is English - and subsequently my daughter WOULD qualify for the Ancestral Visa.
5. I have all of the documentation needed to file for any type of Visa, including proof of sole custody of my daughter.
6. I do not yet have our Passports in hand as it took forever to get some of the paperwork necessary to get the passports.
That said... we have been looking into the various visa's and I really would like to hear from anyone who has gone through this recently! Is it faster for me to apply for a Fiance visa and then go, or -have him fly here, get married and apply for a marriage visa? Also I have read about geting married in various countries like Switzerland - does anyone know if I can go on a standard Visitors visa, get married elsewhere in Europe, then apply for residency in the UK?
Another possiblility is enabling my daughters ancestral status - if so would this allow both of us to go? Has anyone ever done, or heard of this? (Understand please she looks to Si, as her dad -so I really am only finding a means to a happy ending for all of us)..
I know there are a lot of hoops to jump through, and I am prepared for that! We are just tired of waiting, and really hope that you may have some answers as to the fastest method. ALSO - As I don't yet have our passports in hand - is there anyway to start the process without them?
Thank you so much for any help you can provide
1. We have know each other 12 years - were engaged 12 years ago - At the time he was going to come here. But due to Visa complications did not get married and eventually lost contact..
2. We have plenty of proof of our relationship. (No problems there).
3. We were planning on my daughter and I moving to the UK, and getting married there (pulled the cart before the horse) Not realizing we would need Visas to go there... Now we know , so not all is lost, hahaha.
4. My heritage is English,Irish,Scots,Welsh - however 4th generation so I can't get the Ancestral Visa.
5. My Ex-Husband (no laughing it wasn't intentional) is English - and subsequently my daughter WOULD qualify for the Ancestral Visa.
5. I have all of the documentation needed to file for any type of Visa, including proof of sole custody of my daughter.
6. I do not yet have our Passports in hand as it took forever to get some of the paperwork necessary to get the passports.
That said... we have been looking into the various visa's and I really would like to hear from anyone who has gone through this recently! Is it faster for me to apply for a Fiance visa and then go, or -have him fly here, get married and apply for a marriage visa? Also I have read about geting married in various countries like Switzerland - does anyone know if I can go on a standard Visitors visa, get married elsewhere in Europe, then apply for residency in the UK?
Another possiblility is enabling my daughters ancestral status - if so would this allow both of us to go? Has anyone ever done, or heard of this? (Understand please she looks to Si, as her dad -so I really am only finding a means to a happy ending for all of us)..
I know there are a lot of hoops to jump through, and I am prepared for that! We are just tired of waiting, and really hope that you may have some answers as to the fastest method. ALSO - As I don't yet have our passports in hand - is there anyway to start the process without them?
Thank you so much for any help you can provide