just got married - now what? help!

*VENT ALERT*

Hi all-

I've been to this site off and on since applying for my fiance visa, and now I'm really stuck.  I got my fiance visa (whew!) and came over to the UK last month.  We got married last week (he's British, I'm American).  Anyway, now I understand that I can apply to stay another 2 years here on my visa, but what I can't find to save my life is anything through the Home Office that tells me what to do or where to go or who to see.  My husband called the Home Office today, spoke with a girl who apparently didn't speak English very well - she actually asked why we didn't take care of this before we got married, and wondered why we weren't on our honeymoon!  We're not on our honeymoon because we're afraid I won't be able to get back into the country, and we didn't "take care of this" before we got married because we weren't married then!  It seems pretty straightforward to me, but then I'm just a civilian.  Anyway, she told my husband it would be another £300 to apply for a spousal visa for me, and we'd have to do it through the post, etc.  Now, am I wrong, or is that complete rubbish?  If I'm wrong, then I'm very mad because I never read anything in the months before I got my visa that said there would be more money to pay once we were married.  It seemed that I needed to go to either the British or American Consulate in London and it would be a quick stamp to my passport, and I'm legal, so to speak.  So now I'm frustrated, and I've been all over the internet for over an hour and can't find any help whatsoever.  I wish they wouldn't make this so hard!

Aright, so the vent is winding down.  And I'm sorry to be whining, but I'd rather buy a hoover than another visa if I can at all help it!  So if anyone out there has been through this, could you please direct me to an official site that says exactly what to do and who to see and what (if any) money I need to pay?  We're going to London this week, and we were hoping to get this sorted then.  I'd really like to start working, and I'd really like to see my new name on my passport, but I'm completely stuck.  Help!

Thanks so much, sorry for being a pain...

You need to get a Further Leave to Remain visa (FLR) which will last you two years at which point you'll need to get an Indefinite Leave to Remain visa (ILR). You can get either one by post or in person.... Not sure of expense as I got my FLR after being a student rather than a fiance and I did indeed have to pay £300 or so. It definitely ain't cheap. 

Hi Peachy,

Unfortunately, she was correct about the fee and having to apply for a new visa. This is why many people choose to get married in the US...then there is only one application and one fee.

I didn't go the fiance visa route so I can't tell you where to start but there are plenty of people on this board who have and I'm sure someone will point you in the right direction. If you haven't tried already, search the visa board for posts that might answer your question. I know there are plenty of them there.

You'd rather buy a hoover!?

That is great- unfortunately, you are going to be paying for another visa.  The spousal further leave to remain (FLR) will need to be applied for.  The further bad news is that after two years on that (during which time you can work, access NHS care) you must apply for permanent residence (ILR) and that will also cost you! I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I think it is best to know in advance.

There are loads of fiances here who have applied for their FLR recently, so check out their stories.

Guess the hoover may have to wait (in my case, it would be a convenient excuse for my bad housekeeping!)

Best of luck and do check out UK Visas website.  Also, for more specific questions, there are two immigration advisors on the forum, Victoria and Garry.  

Yep, you'll need your FLR, which costs £335 by post or £500 in person.  You'll need to call the Croydon PEO to make an appointment to apply.

After two years, you'll apply for ILR, which is, again, £335 by post or £500 in person.  You can apply at Croydon again or in Liverpool, Birmingham, or Glasgow.

I'd really like to start working, and I'd really like to see my new name on my passport, but I'm completely stuck.  Help!

Thanks so much, sorry for being a pain...

Also, if you'd like your new name on your passport then you'll have to apply for a new one. And, you should do that before getting your visa if you want your visa in your new passport (otherwise you'll either have to pay a big fee to have it transfered or you'll have to pack both passports when you travel...but that's perfectly fine if you want to do it).

The form you need is FLR (M) and is downloadable from www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk

You can also find guidance notes there on what you need to supply with the application.



Victoria

Anyway, she told my husband it would be another £300 to apply for a spousal visa for me, and we'd have to do it through the post, etc.  Now, am I wrong, or is that complete rubbish?  If I'm wrong, then I'm very mad because I never read anything in the months before I got my visa that said there would be more money to pay once we were married. 

They state it really clear that you'll have to pay money when you apply for your spousal visa.  That's one of the reasons my husband and I waited until we got married to apply.  Be thankful your husband isn't moving to the States...Now THAT would be a pain (Applying is VERY time consuming and expensive!) 

Good luck!