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Wow, very interesting. Don't worry about our questioning everyone here is friendly and just wants to make sure you're not inadvertently doing something against immigration rules that could cause you big problems in the future!  That's also interesting that the courier played around with your application. Couriers are not legal advisors usually and shouldn't be playing around with your applications at all. It will be interesting to see what immigration experts on UKY would say about this.

Basically, I sit at home, receive a hard drive in the mail, edit the material, upload it, mail the drive back and get paid through paypal. Every bit of it is done through the US. 

This is exactly the situation I had when I moved to the UK on my fiancee visa - I did research via telecommute for a competitive intelligence firm in the US, using US databases, resources, and even a US-purchased laptop and software!  I was paid in US dollars, into a US paypal account, and paid US taxes - but the work I was performing was being done in the UK.  That was the issue - and believe me, I checked with the Home Office before making my application as well, as I didn't want to lose my source of income - I was told unequivocably that I must NOT continue my work once I'd moved, until I'd secured FLR.

How long ago was that?

Also, I will be getting married in about 6 weeks.  Is the next step then to file a spousal visa?  Is that the same thing as a FLR?  Can I work once I get that?  If I can't work till then, that would be ok, cause I am getting married so soon and hopefully can work after that.  It has been so hard to get info. 

How long ago was that?

Also, I will be getting married in about 6 weeks.  Is the next step then to file a spousal visa?  Is that the same thing as a FLR?  Can I work once I get that?  If I can't work till then, that would be ok, cause I am getting married so soon and hopefully can work after that.  It has been so hard to get info. 

Yes the next step is the FLR(m) which is the spousal visa...and yes once you have received that you can work..in fact I believe once you apply for it you can work but you better check on that part.

Sorry it is so confusing..and hope you do understand everyone is just trying to help and concerned you were given wrong information.

Yes the next step is the FLR(m) which is the spousal visa...and yes once you have received that you can work..in fact I believe once you apply for it you can work but you better check on that part.
 

I'm pretty sure that is not true!  I waited until I had my FLR in my hands before I started working.  You definitely can *look* for work before you get your FLR, though.

How long ago was that?

Also, I will be getting married in about 6 weeks.  Is the next step then to file a spousal visa?  Is that the same thing as a FLR?  Can I work once I get that?  If I can't work till then, that would be ok, cause I am getting married so soon and hopefully can work after that.  It has been so hard to get info. 

You can work once you get the FLR visa (even more confusing, since mine was issued in-country, it says LLR (Limited Leave to Remain) in my passport).

Here's a link to the links for the latest form and guidance for completing the form.  You may want to bookmark the UKBA site, as there will be many changes between the time your FLR is issued and what comes next, so it's a good idea to check every so often.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/flr/flrm

The courier was BANG out of line to have altered an application, or even to have commented on it.  Stakeholder management at UKBA has insisted that reports of this happening are not true because it can cause a commerical partner to be banned from future work with the UK. 

If a British consulate said it was ok to work without the minimal status of a spousal probationary visa (FLR or LLR), then they were wrong.  They may have been misled by the appliction the courier altered.  If there's permission to work, the entry clearance will say so, or say not, whatever the case. 

If you get caught, you'll be done and anything the British consulate may have said will not be taken into account unless you can produce something in writing, or it says so in your passport.  Also, if you get caught and the amounts exceed a certain threshhold, money laundering kicks in because they are required to inform the FSA about it.

There are throttles at FLR, ILR, and nationality.  So be careful.

Garry, is it possible the consulate approved her for a spousal visa, rather than a fiance visa, without actually checking for a marriage certificate?

Yes hon, in the busy period everything's possible.  It wouldn't be the first time either.

Real life example:  from October 2007 to Feb 2008 the Moscow consulate was randomly issuing ILE to spouses and fiances, regardless if they qualified or not.  Some of the girls were dreadfully worried that they could be done for deception.  I contacted Stakeholders in March and *BAM* the consulate stopped issuing ILE dead in its tracks.    Of course their own investigation was denial city from A to Z.  Never existed, never there, what consulate are you talking about?

Fortunately, the girls won't be done for deception, and that's all I was after.  They will have other headaches tho'...

But if she says she sees "MARRIAGE" on her Visa would that still be a Spousal?  Shouldn't a Spousal say something like this "SETTLEMENT: SPOUSE/CP "? 

Lisapower: What exactly does your Visa say and what are the valid to/from dates listed on it?

I have a six month visa issued that says marriage on it.  I can go without work till after I get married.  I would rather do that than to cause an issue.  I am glad I checked here because I was certainly told otherwise.  It won't be a big deal for me to wait. I have finances to carry me thru. 

Thanks for all the comments

Glad to hear it!   Good luck with your next visa application, and best wishes for your upcoming marriage!