Getting together with American friend

Hiya all, I have a problem that I really hope somebody can help me with. I have an American friend I want to live with indefinately, so one of us is going to need a visa. I think probably him, since our rules seem slightly looser than theirs. Anyways, I've been going through the visa rules for both countries with a fine toothcomb, and I can't seem to find any way to make it all happen. The fact that we're both the same sex doesn't help either - if we were male and female we'd be able to get married and everything, but we can't.

We don't particularly care which country we end up in, but one of us will need a visa to live and work in the other country. We're both citizens (and permanent residents) of our respective countries (USA and GB), which seems to simplify things, but I'm still clueless. Does anybody know what sort of visa we need, and how we'd go about getting it? Embassy response times aren't an issue, we have over a year before I can move anyway. If anyone can help, I'd be eternally grateful.

Apologies if I rambled too much, and thanks in advance for the help.

~ Tigz

Chris Hansen is a WEALTH of information.  I'd check out his website.

http://www.hansenhome.demon.co.uk/

Tigz -

Check out the Stonewall Immigration site: http://www.stonewall-immigration.org.uk/ - they have LOTS of useful info about same-sex migration to the UK.

Another useful source of info is the uk.gay.com immigration forum: http://uk.gay.com/boards/list.php?f=15 - lots of people there are in the same situation!

Apparently there is a Civil Partnership bill due to come before Parliament towards the middle of this year (I believe it is expected to pass).  The idea going around is that if this passes, then same-sex couples will be able to apply for a visa (the equivalent of a fiance visa) to allow the overseas partner to come to the UK so the couple can register their partnership, and then once the partnership is registered the partner will be able to get a visa allowing them to stay in the UK (see http://www.stonewall-immigration.org.uk/Newsletter.htm#November%202003).  Obviously this is all based on speculation at the moment, but if you have lots of time you may want to wait and see how it all pans out.  At any rate, the links above will give you much more info!

(BTW, it will probably be much easier for your partner to come to the UK then it will be for you to go to the USA).

I can't add much as I was about to give you the same sites!

I just wanted to wish you and your partner the best of luck!

Yes, try the links. Just wanted to add that when I was first looking into it, I was tongue-in-cheek told that it's too bad we weren't a same-sex couple because it would be easier to come across without HAVING to get married. We were testing the waters at the time.

Well, we don't qualify under the "Unmarried Partners Rule" since we've never cohabited, even for a short time. But if the Civil Partnership thingy is a success then we'll have a leg to stand on. I guess I can only pray.

And I realised there was no way I was going to America when I heard about the Green Card raffle. And that the UK wasn't included this year. *sigh* I do have an uncle over there, but that's no help either... well, hopefully the bill will go through and we'll be able to have that "happy ever after" we've dreamed of for so long.

Thanks very much for the advice, all, it's truly appreciated

Lemmee know how it goes.  I have the exact same problem, only we are not of the same sex, only we don't particualarly want to get "married" at this moment in time.  I live in LA, she lives in England.  I am planning to go there for the legal six months, but I am looking into more.
The whole Unmarried couples thing looks great, but it's soooo complicated.  
Now i am looking into the 2 year with return.  This basically means I can go and come to the UK for two years as long as it is in six month incriments.  Only problem with this is that I cannot work (legally).

keep in touch please.  i think you and me might be in the same boat...

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