Hello everyone...

Hello,im brand new today,found this site a few days ago and i'm reading up on everything i can,my american girlfriend is hoping to come visit me in January so im trying to find out everything i can so it passes as smooth as possible,any pointers to the most important things to know will be very welcome as we're hoping she can visit me for the 6 month general visitor visa,hope to be very active here for the next year or more

Welcome to the forum. If you head over to the Visas & Citizenship board you can get some answers to your questions there from people who have recent experience.

Welcome to UKY. Hope you find the info you need.

thanks for the welcomes,theres a lot to find but we have a few months to find most of it.heres hoping!

Welcome to UKY!

If she's planning on visiting for 6 months, she'll need strong ties to the US to convince the IO she's planning on returning to the US after her visit.  Evidence that may be helpful includes things that show connections to the US - employment contracts, rent agreements or mortgage statements, a return plane ticket, etc.  Evidence that she can financially support herself during her stay would be helpful as well, and that of accommodation.

Some links which may be useful:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/visiting/general/requirements/

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/visiting/general/visa/

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/visiting/general/documents/

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/out-of-country/visitors.pdf

If you're worried, you could apply for a visitor visa in advance.  It's not required for straightforward visitors from the US; however, for some people, it gives them extra peace of mind as it would be unlikely she would be refused entry if she has prior entry clearance.

Does she have anything like criminal convictions that would be considered unspent in the UK, previous refused visas, bounces at the border, etc?  If so, it is strongly advised to apply for a visa in advance.

Well im hoping that her children still being in the US is going to be a strong enough reason,they will be with their father,although they're teenagers now,i have my own place here and hopefully will be supporting her during her stay,i'm still trying to find out the new rules on this £18,660 income too,i am self employed and own a small company and cant find out where i stand on that issue for when we are married and want to settle here.Oh,she has never left the US before and doesnt have any convictions or anything bad like that,and im 45 and my girlfriend is 36 if that makes any kind of difference at all.