Question about marriage

i plan on moving to the uk in a couple of years or so...........we plan on marrying etc .........from what im researching im understanding that we would be better off marrying now in the us before i make this move........does anyone have some advice on this..........also if we did marry what do we have to do in order to visit each other......our visits would be no more than two weeks at a time and only a couple of times per year................just when i think i have begun to understand the process then something new pops up........confuses me.........lol............i appreciate any advice offered......thanks steff

I can only speak for my own situation, and in my situation it was easier for us to get married here in the US versus the UK--it was something we wanted to do anyway, and didn't really see much need in getting a fiance visa just so we could get married in the UK, only to turn around and have to apply for FLR. So, if marriage is what you and your BF plan on doing, doing so in the US can definitely have its benefits and disadvantages depending on your unique situation.

You'll also want to research what the requirements are for the state you plan on getting married in--in Oregon it was fairly simple, just a 3 day waiting period between filing and being able to use the marriage license, and it looks like we'll be getting the certificates within the next week or so. Google the marriage requirements for whatever state you plan on marrying in, it'll give you some idea of what you need to consider when planning everything out.

As for visiting each other, it depends--technically to visit all you would need is your passport, though depending on your situation it can be much more than that. Sometimes people take along paperwork showing they have ties to their respective countries to avoid issues at immigration, but like I said it depends on a ton of factors--mainly finances, and those ties you have to the US.

You get to skip a visa that way, if you marry in the US and move over on a spousal visa.  As the applications are a COMPLETE pain in the tail to put together and very expensive, skipping one is no joke. Also, you can work right away on a spousal visa. But it might cause you awkwardness going back and forth as a married woman. Probably easiest to wait until you're ready to move before getting married.

Disclaimer: I have no idea what I'm talking about.

I'd go along with getting married in the US and then applying for spousal visa. We looked into other options but this seemed the quickest and most straightforward. I'm British and my wife American, we got married last Sept, started visa application online about a week before the wedding, sent all the documentation in a couple of days after wedding and the visa was issued 2 weeks later.

thanks everyone...............yes we want to be married.............it did seem to be less costly to just go ahead and do it now when he comes and visits.........im in nc so its easy.............no wait no test......just pay and go......................i wont be moving for about 2-3 years.........i just didnt want any unexpected visas when we visit each other..........stress......but im certain its not as difficult as it appears.....lol.................thanks again...steff

You are planning on getting married but living apart for 2 or 3 years? Not sure how that would look on an application, I'm sure Vicky could help on that. Also what the immigration would say when one of one said they were visiting their spouse. (especially the US immigration).
Why not just have regular visits but wait to get married?

I was wondering that.  I think it would be easier to get into the UK though.  Don't family members have more rights than just visitors?  Although perhaps you would have to get a multiple visit visa?

I was wondering that.  I think it would be easier to get into the UK though.  Don't family members have more rights than just visitors?  Although perhaps you would have to get a multiple visit visa?

I believe they have more rights of appeal, but they can still get bounced if the IO thinks they intend to overstay. 

Family members dont have more rights than others except in cases of appeals.  

My husband and I were married in April and I went for a visit this month and was very concerned that I would raise some major flags by saying I was there visiting my husband with eventual plans to settle in the future.  I had an entire folder of evidence that I would return to the US and didnt need any of it.  I was asked if I planned to settle and I said yes, but made it clear I understood that a visa was required first and the IO didnt even bat an eyelash.  She asked me if I planned to work, I said no, and she stamped me through.  No additional questioning. If you have a reason for not moving for 2-3 years, I dont think you will have any trouble going back on forth on short visits as long as you still have ties to the US.

I was wondering that.  I think it would be easier to get into the UK though.  Don't family members have more rights than just visitors?  Although perhaps you would have to get a multiple visit visa?

I wouldn't have thought so on a visitor visa, and the IO might get suspicious that you weren't planning on going back

wow so many opinions..............am waiting to move because it costs so much and i want to pay off my bills here etc..............i also need to adjust to the uk lifestyle......ive read so many different things about all this.....quite confusing to be honest.........sometimes i feel like just throwing my hands in the air and scream.....lol

For all the reasons above, and many more which are totally unrelated to immigration, I'd suggest waiting to marry until you plan to live in the same country.

Vicky

ah you must be the vicky i see everyone post about........all good posts of course......lol........i appreciate everyones advice.........yes i went to visit a year ago........i admit it was a bit of a change for me........my first time out of the country...........many many things are so different.........it would be quite difficult for me not to just hop in the car and go somewhere.........even the grocery store was a challenge for me there.......i could find anything i was accustomed to .....with the exception of baileys irish cream......after two bottles i felt so much better......lol.
have a good weekend everyone ......steff

spoke to my boyfriend about everyones advice on here...........so we have decided that it would be best to marry in the us a few weeks/months before moving........so wedding will be delayed for awhile but thats okay because i want this to as simple and easy as it possibly can.........anymore advice is always appreciated........steff