Safest way for US fiance to visit here for 3 months

My US fiance will come to the UK for 3 months this spring, we are getting married in the US in the fall. What would be the safest option for entry to the UK ? We read so many horror stories here. She wont have much cash on her, i will support her.
Should we...

-Get a 3 month return ticket and tell immigration the truth that shes here visiting her fiancee for 3 months
-Get a 2 week flexible ticket and change it after shes in ?
-Get a fiance visa giving the impression we will marry in the UK. (will they want details of a future marriage here)

Hope you can give some advise. Thanking you in advance.

I believe that she is allowed to visit for up to 6 months without any visa or hassle.

So did we until we found the posts on this board  !!!!!!

Honesty is always the best policy when dealing with IOs.  She may not be questioned at all, but she needs to be prepared.  She'll need proof of finances (that can be her bank statements, credit cards, a letter from you saying you'll be supporting her during the visit and your contact info, etc.) and proof that she intends to return to the US (return ticket, school enrolment letter, letter from employer, proof of mortgage/lease, children in the US, ongoing litigation requiring her presence, etc.). 

If you're getting married in the US, I think it'd be an excellent idea for her to have proof of that (church booking, invitation, receipts for the dress, etc.).  She should also make it clear that she's aware that she'll need a spousal visa to enter the UK after the wedding.

Being honest and showing that she's aware of the immigration rules and intends to follow them should go a long way.   

Funnily enough, Geedouble, I did EXACTLY what your fiance is doing. You can do it the honest way, like Lola suggests, and that's totally fine.

However, I did it the easy way. In May 2004 I purchased a return ticket to Manchester to stay until August 2004. Upon arrival I merely said that I was visiting friends for the entire summer and traveling around the country. No questions asked, no problems.

I then lived with my partner (he supported me as you will be doing - that and we lived off some of my savings), I didn't work, and I returned back to the US in August 2004. He then flew over with his family in September 2004 and we got married (he didn't tell the IO that he was getting married - there wasn't a need as we had decided to settle in the UK so he didn't need a fiance visa).

If you feel more comfortable with Lola's suggestion, then go for it. But as long as your fiance isn't going to be working then she isn't breaking any rules in visiting you for 3 months. I mean, you are 'friends'.... right?!? Haha.

Goodluck regardless!

Chris is here on a 6 month waiver visa he came over totally unprepared I turned up at the airport the same they called me in to talk to me and they asked how much we both had I had no proof of earnings on me, how much Chris got each month and if we where palnning on getting married I said in the near future but who could say they asked if he new all the children where he would be staying I said with me I did not mention we where engaged just going out together, I also said we loved the states and if anything did happen in the future we would look at where was best for us all to live as a family, I had my driving licence on me and she pointed out I had not changed my address on yet I had just moved back from London errrrrrrrrrrrr they said it is there policy for anyone coming for 6 months to pull them in she pointed out that Chris had to leave on the date on his ticket if not before or he may have problems entering the UK again and said I am going to let him in I will stamp his pass port now. Chris also had his dad and cousin accompanying him and she said that was a good sign also.

We where totally unprepared it I have to say never even occurred to us he would get pulled in until it happened.

I hope that helps just make sure you have id just incase and some bank statements and a letter and tell your partner to keep there cell phone on them they call you on it if they pull you in errrrrrrrr I had a problem with my van and the aa where called so she had my phone when they called me.

The immigration department at heathrow is upstairs if you go to the area where the rest rooms are there is a flight of stairs and you will see a glass window and a phone you use the phone and then wait.

The quietest time of day is the evenings if you fly in during the day you can I was told wait hours I waited 10 minutes but someone else there had been there 3/4 hours already.

Because you are only coming for 3 months you should be ok but just be prepared just incase and they do call your partner into ask them questions so just make sure you know each other well to answer them.

Good luck

Sonya and Chris

Thanks all,

I forgot to mention she has been here to UK 3 times in 6 months the last time being Christmas just gone  this is why its getting "dodgy"......The "friends" thing is going to wear thin soon i think and a secondary inspection is imminent.


Incidently,  you don't need a fiance visa to marry in the US. I went to the states 2 weeks ago arriving into PHL, i only have a regular passport, I bit the bullet and told the I.O i was visiting my fiance for 2 weeks to make plans for our wedding here in October, he stamped me with 90 days and said "congratulations welcome to America " !!! ...I couldn't believe it

Has she used her 6 months up or has she been over for a few weeks at a time she should be ok as long as she doesn't extend into the 6 months you are aloud to be here for.

Shes been back and forth staying 2 weeks at a time. The first time she got a grilling at the first stage at gatwick about who her "freind" was and how we met and what he does for a job etc etc.

Shes been back and forth staying 2 weeks at a time. The first time she got a grilling at the first stage at gatwick about who her "freind" was and how we met and what he does for a job etc etc.

Same here. I was questioned left and right about tons of stuff. I used the "friend" thing also and still got questioned...im not too sure if i should say he's my friend this time or just say my boyfriend. 

I am not here to rain on anyones parade, but you should be prepared for the possibility that your fiancee could get turned away.

I would make sure your gf comes with a sponsor letter and as much proof of ties to the US as possible, as the others said proof of your plans to marry in the US would help..but again its up to the individual IO, they may see fiancee and nothing more.

Not trying to dampen any spirits, and hopefully your fiancee will get through no problems whatsoever...just be prepared for it to go either way..and good luck to you I know from my own immigration adventures...or would it be misadventures? how frustrating and stressful it can all be. But in the end my guy is worth the trouble

I don't understand the problem.  I came over to visit my husand a few times before we were married.  The longest I ever stayed was for 1 month, but no one ever asked me any questions in immigration other than "business or holiday?"

I don't understand the problem.  I came over to visit my husand a few times before we were married.  The longest I ever stayed was for 1 month, but no one ever asked me any questions in immigration other than "business or holiday?"

You're one of the lucky ones then.

I don't understand the problem.  I came over to visit my husand a few times before we were married.  The longest I ever stayed was for 1 month, but no one ever asked me any questions in immigration other than "business or holiday?"

Of course not wishing to be inquisitive or seeming to give offense, but rather to grasp the demographics for comparison purposes from those who have experienced discomfort clearing immigration controls - your age? profession?  Any other demographic characteristic that would differentiate your experience?

Of course not wishing to be inquisitive or seeming to give offense, but rather to grasp the demographics for comparison purposes from those who have experienced discomfort clearing immigration controls - your age? profession?  Any other demographic characteristic that would differentiate your experience?

I am curious about this, Garry, because I have never had any problems either and we were wondering if those factors, age, profession, etc., came in to play. I would hate to think that they did, but I guess the IO has to somewhat 'judge a book by its cover.'