Of all the visa types, assisting clients with fiancée visa or spouse visa applications are some of my favorites. Perhaps I’m an old fashioned romantic but I simply enjoy helping couples secure visas to reunite and carry on their lives together.
And so it was with Raj, a dual British national living and working in the United Kingdom (UK), and Louisa, an American citizen from California.
Raj and Louisa met during their university studies in the UK over 3 years. At the end of their undergraduate studies and Louisa’s Tier 4 student visa, Louisa returned to the United States (US) and took up a lucrative position in New York.
Raj remained in the UK and went on to study for his Masters’ degree before starting and running his own business.
The one constant was Louisa and Raj’s relationship to each other, something that they maintained via Skype, Facetime, email and regular trips abroad whenever their schedules (and finances) allowed it. As Raj’s business grew, he had less freedom to visit Louisa as before, though the funds to do so. For Louisa, taking more time off to visit the UK and spend time Raj was proving increasingly difficult as her employers were not always understanding of her inability to change her travel at short notice.
And so, Raj and Louisa approached me for advice. Raj and Louisa wanted to take their relationship to the next stage and live together. They did their research, readily admitting to me that much of the information they had read elsewhere was either complicated or contradictory.
Based on their research, they both agreed to try and secure a fiancée visa for Louisa to come to the UK to marry Raj. Yep! They were going to tie the knot!!! I warned you I was a bit of a romantic!
Once in the UK, Louisa planned to apply for a spouse visa to remain in the UK with Raj.
And that’s when they contacted me to assist them with applying for a fiancée visa.
However, rather than launch into preparing the fiancée visa, I wanted to make sure Raj and Louisa understood the immigration requirements and were aware of their options.
Fiancée visa
Fiancée visas allow overseas nationals, from outside of the European Economic Area (EEA) to enter the UK and marry their British or ‘settled’ partner.
The marriage must take place within 6 months of entry.
This visa type was attractive to Louisa because she could stay in the UK and apply for a UK spouse visa.
I also explained to Raj and Louisa that fiancée visas were very different from marriage visas, the latter being a short term visa to enter the UK to marry only. At the end of the 6 months’ visa, the marriage visa holder must leave the UK.
Clearly, Louisa’s wish was to remain in the UK so a marriage visa was immediately discounted.
Fiancée visa requirements
Though not an exhaustive list, to qualify for a fiancée visa, Louisa would have to demonstrate that:
- Raj is over 18 years of age
- That she and Raj had met each other and are in a genuine relationship together
- That they both intend to live together on a permanent basis once married
- That they are both free to enter into a relationship with each other
- They intend to marry in the UK within 6 months
- They have sufficient funds to support themselves
- That Raj, as the sponsor, earns a minimum salary of £18,600 per annum or equivalent in savings
- They have suitable accommodation in the UK
Of importance was helping Raj and Louisa understand UK Visas and Immigration’s (UKVI’s) application fees and when they would be incurred.
Raj was somewhat shocked to hear of the level of fees involved. For instance, a fiancée visa would cost Louisa and Raj around $2,050 USD at the point of submission on the online application. And they would have to incur similar fees, within 6 months, for a spouse visa as well as incur the Immigration Health Surcharge.
In fact, although they both had well paid jobs, their various overseas trips to see each other and wedding plans had depleted both of their savings.
Spouse visa
We discussed their options further and Louisa revealed that her preference was to marry in California. She had a large family and it would prove logically easier and cost effective to have the wedding in the US.
Raj appeared easy going about the location of the wedding. His family was much smaller and he just wanted to move matters forward.
Another area of concern for Louisa was employment. Louisa considered a 6 months’ career gap to be a long one and was not aware that she could not work while holding a fiancée visa.
Why not get married in California?
Raj and Louisa hadn’t really considered this as an option. Quite rightly they were focused on securing Louisa’s immediate long term stay in the UK, but I wanted to highlight that they had wider options.
Spouse visa requirements
Though not an exhaustive list, to qualify for a spouse visa, Louisa would have to demonstrate that:
- Raj is over 18 years of age
- That she and Raj had entered into a genuine marriage
- That they both intend to live together on a permanent basis once married
- That they are both free to enter into a relationship with each other
- They intend to marry in the UK within 6 months
- They have sufficient funds to support themselves
- That Raj, as the sponsor, earns a minimum salary of £18,600 per annum or equivalent in savings
- They have suitable accommodation in the UK
Applying for a spouse visa from New York or California would negate the need for Louisa and Raj to incur fiancée visa fees and for Louisa’s family members to travel to London.
Also, Louisa would be granted entry to the UK for 30 months, and could immediately take up employment. The fact that their marriage would be a recent one, and could be subjected to further scrutiny by UKVI, was something that could be overcome with proper preparation of the application.
Conclusion
Six months later, Louisa secured a spouse visa UK and is currently in the UK.
And I am pleased with the part that I played in helping Louisa to secure her spouse visa from New York, drafting the application form on Louisa’s behalf, advising on the documents to be provided and inspecting them, preparing the application bundle of documents and booking the biometric appointment for her. Like I said at the start, I enjoy seeing couples reunited.
Here’s wishing Louisa and Raj all the best!
And by the way, the main picture is not a photo of Raj and Louisa, but I have seen the wedding photos and they are gorgeous!
Over to you. Have you applied for a spouse visa or fiancée visa and how did you find the experience?
If not, do you need straightforward immigration advice or guidance? Contact us at [email protected] for a quick reply.
Written by Carla Thomas – Managing Director at Thomas Chase Immigration.
Thomas Chase Immigration offer immigration help to individuals and families secure visas to travel to and remain in the UK.
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