FAQ tip for girlfriends/boyfriends pond-hopping this summer

yes technically the IO has the final say, but don't over worry yourself about it. The IO wont stop you unless they have a reason to think its a sham marriage. If the HO approved your fiance visa,you're fine

Thank You EnglandsYank, that DOES ease my mind.  I know I keep asking questions on here, but I just want to be sure that I am doing everything right!  Hopefully next month I will have all the documentation I need, and will be applying for the fiance visa.  I hope to be there by March, but I don't know the definate date - will that be a problem?  I don 't want to book a flight until I know for sure I get the visa!

If you go in person you will get it right away unless theres a problem with your documents. but when you apply make sure you have a arrival date sorted. you dont have to book your flight just give an approximate day, when I went in I told them Id be flying out asap.

I will be applying at the Chicago consulate.  I was told they no longer take walk-ins, so I assume that would mean I would have to make an appointment.  Would I still get the visa the same day, or does it make more sense to apply online, send the documents Fed-Ex, and wait here for confirmation?

https://www.britainusa.com/eappointments/chicago/

go there to make an appointment, you'll still get it the same day. and you'll still have to complete it online if you go in person, when you complete it online make sure you also print it out to bring with you, and also make sure you print out your appointment confirmation or you wont make it pass the front door.

if you post it  theres a fee for posting it I think its $12 plus the postage you spend to send it to them,  it takes longer but it also saves money because you wont have to travel there.

I still don't get it, I am just trying to figure out if this visa or entry clearance thing is worth it for someone who doesn't have a fiance visa or plans to get one??? It seems like the Immigration Officers are pushing people into moving relationships along faster than they may normally do, by making such issues of the frequency of visits. If you are truly going to get to know someone how do you do that without spending real time with them!? I am going to have a google and see what I come up with on this... 

Can anyone point me in the direction of the entry clearance application?  My girlfriend is coming over for 3 weeks later this month, and she's already been over a few times this year, so we want to ensure she gets entry.  Someone mentioned the VAF1 form, but from what I can see, that's for 6 months entry, which we don't need!  Also, does anyone know how quickly an entry clearance is processed, and how much it costs?

It doesn't exist for US citizens.  I've tried obtaining one.  The prvious posters were wrong.

No, they weren't.  US citizens don't need to apply for entry clearance, but they can if their situation warrants it (i.e., they've been denied entry before, for example).

It doesn't exist for US citizens.  I've tried obtaining one.  The prvious posters were wrong.

Hmmm.. no, I don't think the original poster would be misleading everyone here. I have actually found some info but haven't taken the time to sort it out just yet....

Just to clarify our situation, my girlfriend runs her own business, and manages another, so she has pretty obvious ties to the US.  Do you think any kind of proof of her business would be sufficient for the jack-booted immigration officers?

Just to clarify our situation, my girlfriend runs her own business, and manages another, so she has pretty obvious ties to the US.  Do you think any kind of proof of her business would be sufficient for the jack-booted immigration officers?

Has your girlfriend had any trouble getting in before or spent lots of time here lately?  If not, I wouldn't think she'd need to apply for entry clearance.  If she can prove she has somewhere to stay, enough spending money for the duration of the trip, and that she's going back to the US (i.e., letter from work, mortgage papers, etc.), she should be okay. 

I'm sorry.  I don't mean to be rude, but has anyone else here actually tried to get pre-entry clearance as an American?  I went to the L.A. consulate.  They told me it doesn't exist; I  filled out the VAF1 form and they wouldn't even accept it.  They told me that unless I've been denied entry in the past, pre-entry clearance is never considered for Americans.

how long ago did you try to do it?

In September 2005 (2 1/2 months ago).