some random questions

im going to england for the first time to visit my boyfriend for 2 weeks and im kinda of nervous as to what im supposed to say the purpose of my visit is. should i say that im visiting my boyfriend, or is it safer to just say im visiting 'friends'? do you have to write specifically on the form when entering who you are visiting?

since i have read all over this forum that its alot easier to get married in the US then apply for the spouse visa, im wondering what my boyfriend is supposed to say to immigration when he arrives. his intention will be to come over to marry me, but wont they give him a hard time if he says that? i understand it is legal as long as he goes back, but should he just keep it at hes just visiting?

how do i know which british consulate to apply at? and if i decide to apply in person, can i go to any of them?

do uk school grants (or whatever they call them over there) count as public funds?
is there a certain amount of money they expect the uk citizen to make?

when it says to send both peoples passports with the application, does that mean send the ACTUAL passports, not copies? do they mail these back to you then?

thank youuuu

*i guess i didnt make it clear that we are looking to just get married in the US (and get the spouse visa), then go back to the UK to settle. sorry!

Personally I would say I am going to visit a friend and not specify boyfriend unless specifically asked. Yes you do have to write where you are staying--- if you are doing some sightseeing and staying at a hotel you can always put the hotel down. The first time I came over to visit I had no problem through immigration although they did ask how I had met my friend. The second time the questions were a bit more intent but when I explained I was on Easter vacation from my job teaching they accepted that. The biggest thing is to show them you are coming to visit for a specific period of time and there is a reason for you to go back home.

I can't say that I agree that it is easier to marry in the US and apply for the spouse visa. Applying for a fiancee' visa and coming to the UK is the way I did it-- not difficult although it does cost a bit more money this way but when you minus out your finacee's plane ticket to the US it isn't a huge difference-- so decide where you WANT to get married.

The website tells you which consulate serves which areas.

Not sure about school infor--sorry. No there isn't a certain amount of money...it is a vague requirement that you are able to support yourselves. It seems pretty lenient from what I have seen.

You must send your actual passport--- it can be a certified copy of your fiancee's or his actual one. yes they send them back to you with your visa.

Good Luck--- Hope I helped some.

Helena

I have never had a problem saying I'm visiting my boyfriend.

I always used to say I was here to visit my boyfriend and never had any trouble at all. I tend to think honesty is the best policy with immigration (and with life in general....) If you've got a return ticket, some money, and a job to get back to there's no reason for them to turn you away.... I was never even asked about any of those things, but I was always prepared. Especially since you're only here for two weeks I'm sure you won't arouse suspicion.

If your bf is coming to the US to marry you, from what I understand he needs to get a fiance visa just as you would need to if you were coming here to marry him. It's really not that big of a deal to marry in either place if you are organized and have all of your ducks in a row!

i said 'boyfriend' all the time too.  they asked me questions about us, how we met and how we'd been dating, but nothing bad.  i never had any problems and i think being honest is best as you never have to remember any false truths!!!!

also my hubby, when he came over told them he was coming over to get married-and that his wife was applying for her visa when he returned to the UK after the honeymoon.  they just want to be sure you are following procedure.

I have always found the UK immigration officers to be a reasoanble bunch - just don't start making stuff up 'cos they'll know and get suspicious.  Just be honest.

Oh, tip for US/UK families flying into Heathrow, stick together at the immigration line and join the much quicker UK passport holder lines as a family - as long as one of you has a UK passport, they don't mind one bit - in  fact, when our kids were little, we were always pulled out of line and swept through the 'fast line' - just look pleadingly at the nice lady/man who checks to make sure you are in the right line.

also my hubby, when he came over told them he was coming over to get married-and that his wife was applying for her visa when he returned to the UK after the honeymoon.  they just want to be sure you are following procedure.

so just to make sure, my boyfriend can say he is coming over to get married in the US without any problems?
it seems like they would for sure stop him and refuse entry! even if he did have things to prove he was going back. it seems like getting married on a vistors visa in either country is the last thing they want you to do, whether its legal or not.
or maybe im just paranoid!
glad it worked out for you.

thanks everyone for answering my questions

He should get a fiancee visa, IMHO....

He should get a fiancee visa, IMHO....

but he doesnt need one. he would be coming to the US just to have the wedding, we plan to settle in the UK.
sorry if i was unclear about that.

Hi Karenn, have a look at this from the US Embassy website - if your fiance is going to stay permanently in the US after you get married then he needs a fiance visa, otherwise he can just go on the visa waiver programme (ie no visa) and get married.

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/visa/iv/fiance.htm

In the same vein as Britwife's post, here's the specific information about marrying in the States from the Embassy site. The last paragraph gives you all the clarity you need:

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/visa/us/marriage-us.htm

Whoopsie! Sorry, BritWife is right (as she always is  ) I got mixed up. Lack of sleep is starting to get to me. I think my jet-lag is lasting longer than usual! 

In the same vein as Britwife's post, here's the specific information about marrying in the States from the Embassy site. The last paragraph gives you all the clarity you need:

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/visa/us/marriage-us.htm

i understand that it is legal to marry in the US on a visitors visa as long as you are returning to the UK. what i was more looking for was the specifics of going through actual immigration at the airport while having this as your intention. it seems like its a risk to tell them you are going to get married while your there.

I wouldn't have thought it would be a problem as it is what you are supposed to do. He'll have a return ticket to prove he's leaving the country after the wedding right?

i understand that it is legal to marry in the US on a visitors visa as long as you are returning to the UK. what i was more looking for was the specifics of going through actual immigration at the airport while having this as your intention. it seems like its a risk to tell them you are going to get married while your there.

Just have him bring over the same stuff that you would take to visit the UK - a return ticket, proof of employment, lease agreement, anything that shows that he has ties to the UK. I would also take Aimiloo's advice and have him explain to the IO that you are planning on getting the proper visa to move to the UK. The US Embassy took the time to spell it out that it's okay to do what you're planning on doing. If you worry about it too much and he acts suspicious or unsure of himself when he comes over, I think that would put up red flags to the IO.