self-employeed/freelancer - no work visa required?

My first post.

I'm in London now to be with my fiance.  I'm a freelance video director and have found work here.  I plan to return to the States in June, pack/move my stuff here, and live here for 2+ years while my fiance finishes up her course at the university.

I called the Work Permit office, and the guy who I spoke with on the phone said that if I'm self-employeed then I'm not working for anyone, so I don't need a work permit ...

It seems somehow too good to be true.  Maybe I'm just a cynic ...

My question is this:  when I've applied for (and ideally been granted) a fiance visa with which to re-enter the UK, should I 'keep quiet' about the fact that I've already done two projects here in a freelance capacity?  If I'm asked about my plans to work, should I be vague but positive, or mention the job I've got lined up for July?  Am I over-emphasizing the work permit issue as a freelancer? 

I haven't found much in the way of discussion re: freelancers coming to and working in the UK, so I thought I'd solicit some input.

Thanks,
J

If you were/are here as a visitor, you cannot work.  Period.  Legally, you can't even volunteer.

When you're here on a fiance visa, you still cannot work.  At all.  Once you've been granted FLR (spousal visa), you can seek work. 

Here are a couple of posts dealing with freelancing whilst a visitor or fiance:

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=21936.0

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=15518.0

Thanks, Lola - this is helpful.

Any idea how long it takes (on average) once married to go through the process of changing the fiance visa to a spousal visa?

If you apply in person (Glasgow, Croydon, Birmingham, Liverpool), the fee is £500 and you'll have the visa the same day.  If you apply by post, the fee is £335.  The websites say the wait could be 13 weeks, though I can't address that as I applied in person.  I'm sure there are others around who applied by post and they'll be able to give you an idea of how long it really takes.   

Postal applications are currently taking about 4 weeks.

Have you looked to see if you qualify for an HSMP?  That would allow you to freelance.


Vicky