Financial requirements for Fiancee Visa

Hi everyone--if you saw this post over in brits_americans on LJ, feel free to skip (or answer there).

I've been searching previous entries on fiancee visa requirements, but none seem to specifically answer what I'd like to know. For those of you who don't know me from LiveJournal, my boyfriend and I have been together for 2.5 years. Proving that we have a legitimate relationship shouldn't be an issue, as I came here to the UK as an exchange student (when we first met) and have been living here for a year working towards my MA (though I am, sadly, leaving in a few weeks)  :\\\'( We have photographic evidence, letters, pretty much everything coming out the wazoo. 

So, on to the questions:

1. In your experience, what sort of salary should my British significant other be making in order for us to be approved for a fiancee visa? He graduated from university this year and has started the jobhunt, and has been asking me what sort of salary he should be aiming for in order to satisfy the requirements of the visa. His family doesn't have much money, so having them as sponsors is not really an option. Knowing what sort of financial situation we should be in upon applying would be great. We're shooting for a wedding date in 2008, so we'd like to have this sorted out so we don't start planning things next year and then get denied the visa.

2. Is there a certain amount of time that he should have been holding a current job for prior to us applying for the visa? (i.e., if he happens to be offered some fantastic job two months before we apply and he leaves whatever his then-current job may be to take it, will that work against us?)

3. If he gets a job in his hometown, he intends to live at home for a bit in order to save money, but he does realize that he needs to have his own place when we make the application. Is there a specific amount of time that he needs to be living at a certain address?

4. Alternatively, would getting married in the US and then returning to the UK be an easier/better option? We've talked about marrying in my hometown even though we intend to live in the UK, but if that's going to be a bureaucratic headache and a half, then forget it.

I've looked at the application form and the visa requirements on UKVisas, but they're woefully vague, so I was hoping I could get some concrete answers on here. Thanks!

Thanks for your help, and I do apolgize if this topic has been covered elsewhere and I missed it.

Hi!!   Good to see you over here, M (you should come visit more often!) 

1.  The short answer is: enough to live on and for him to support you for six months if he had to (and of course if you or he has significant savings, you'll probably get away with him making a lesser salary.)  There's no set amount, as it depends on where you're living, etc.  Figure out a budget as if you were going to move over there on the fiancee visa right away, and from there decide how much money A needs to be making.

2.  No- the important thing is that he has a job.  How long he's had it for is basically irrelevant.

3. Actually, he doesn't have to have his own place if his parents are willing to write a letter saying they'll let you live there for a bit.  If that's not an option or you guys just don't want to do that, then it doesn't matter how long he's been living at his own place.

4. It's simpler from an immigration standpoint (only one initial application, then ILR, as opposed to two in a short space of time with the fiancee visa.)  Marrying him in the US is almost no different from marrying an American in the US- he just comes over on a visa waiver, you get married- end of story. Then of course you have to get a UK spouse visa, but you knew that already.

Hi andrea, have you had to go through the fiancé visa thing?
Kaz xx

nope, but I did a lot of research on it back when my ex and I were considering marriage....and I hang out in this forum a lot   There are tons of people here that have actually gone through it, though!

Hi

Just wanted to say I'm going through the spousal visa process at the moment and that is my strongest complaint. The fact that they NEVER give any sort of monetary number, but I guess it depends on the situation. Best of luck to you.

Also, I can attest that getting married in the US is easy, as long as your fiance gets through immigration (needs proof he's returning to the UK) etc. But as far as getting married, the only snag we found is we had to pay full price for the marriage license even though we were illegable for a discount (due to pre-marriage counseling) but other than that its easy

Or consider skipping the fiancée step altogether, since it's an extra £250/500 (or more...I can't remember the figures) for the privilege of living in the UK without working.  I know you're a student, so have you considered the SEGS program after you graduate?  Or is that not enough time?  Just remember that any application made from the UK is phenominally more expensive than if you were back in the States.

Hi!

The impression from the comments I'm getting over on brits_americans also seems to echo the idea that marrying in the US might give us a "better shot" at being approved later on, since I'd be able to earn money. What sort of documents would you recommend that he bring to the POE? Proof of employment and residence?

Thanks!

Also, what's the SEGS program? FWIW, I have to return to the US right now because of illness in the family, so I can't really extend anything.

Proof of employment should work, a letter from employer stating that he will return to work on a certain date. TBH, my H just said he was coming over on holiday (he was with all of his family, so it wasn't really a lie) and he had no trouble. He had a return ticket for 2 weeks after his arrival date, and he left with everyone 5 days after the wedding.

I've heard of some people bringing proof that you're going through the UK spousal visa process, such a your appointment date with the consulate. But that'll only be relevant if you have submitted the online application form by the time he travels over.

Also, what's the SEGS program? FWIW, I have to return to the US right now because of illness in the family, so I can't really extend anything.

Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme.  Doesn't apply to you, don't worry about it (The expanded SEGS to include those of us not getting science and engineering degrees only applies to those who start their courses after May 1, 2006.)

I'd say 'figures', for the people with 'useful' degrees, but Anthony's struggling as it is (though I guess he *has* only been out of uni a few weeks and we should give it time--he's getting frustrated though, wants this to be over yesterday, like me) and he has a science degree!

OT, but he did see a posting for a part-time librarian on the IOM and it was £15-22/hr!!!! 

Hi Mari :-)

Yeah they don't really give any guidance as to amount of money.  Ours got approved without even an interview, so I'm sure you and Anthony will be fine when the time comes.

Getting married in the US would save you the cost of the fiancee visa, but depending on the cost of him flying over you might not really save anything. 

Hehe, hi! 

Yeah, I guess the reason I'm asking now is mainly because Anthony's been pestering me about it, and I don't really have a good answer for him!  Now that he's out of uni and in the 'real world', and can actually do something about ending the distance permanently (instead of just talking about it) he says he wants to make sure he's giving us the best chance possible, but he doesn't know what to look for, you know? I get the impression he's putting himself under pressure because he knows the ball's in his court but I'm trying to alleviate that by researching so he feels a little less lost.

I have a feeling my parents might offer to cover the $$ of the flight; I'm their only child and they've said they want to see me get married in the church they did, which Anthony says he has no problem with.

I've been told to shoot for 20k on b_a, and yet that same person said "if you can prove that you can get by on 10k, you should be fine". I just wish I knew how to prove that!!!! He's shooting for salaries in the mid-to-high teens, which right now is really the best he can do, so I guess maybe working out a budget (someone suggested an Excel sheet) might help.

I would really say and advice an amounts is going to be difficult to predict.  Don't think if he gets 20K a year, you are going to be set.  A lot of it depends on the ECO.  A lot of it depends on how much of a compelling argument you make as well.  As Andrea suggested, making up a budget would go very well if you got into an interview situation.  As well as the getting married in the US most likely would be cheaper and easier.  A spousal visa does carry a little bit more weight then a fiancee, because they know that you guys at least know each other.

Also realize that an interview is not the end of the world and even more so, if you get denied after the interview that is not the end of the world.  It is more of a matter of addressing why they think you might end up on the dole.  Your degree will help as well.  Get your CV together and be prepared to discuss your job prospects in the UK.  Your advanced degree is going to help a lot in them knowing that you aren't just going to show up and sit around all day and eat bon bons.

We were worried about this as well when I applied for my fiance visa. There is no set amount. As long as they can show they can support you withot public funds thats all they care about.

I provided Dales paystubs and a letter from his employer. His basic salary was about £14,500 back then but with all his overtime he made about £20,000. (this was over a year ago,but I don't think they changed their rules about the monetary issue) and the IO was fine about it,she didn't even want to see a budget.

When I applied for my FLR,he made a lot more then that,but if I remember right,they didn't ask about any financial things,but I threw in some of his paystubs anyway just to prove he is still employed.

They will ask about what you plan on doing for work over in the UK,so I recommend bring a copy of your resume/CV

A lot of it depends on the ECO.

 

Sorry, I'm being a bit thick. What's that?

A lot of it depends on how much of a compelling argument you make as well.

Any tips for doing so? I think we've got the 'yes, we actually know each other' end covered, and we're going to follow the budget advice, but anything else? Also, 'home' in the US is within driving distance of the consulate in NY, do you think it would be to our advantage to go there (since they could interview us in person?). Any tips on getting the significant other and his family into the US without raising any eyebrows? Or is there a specific US visa for marrying and then leaving?

Your degree will help as well.  Get your CV together and be prepared to discuss your job prospects in the UK.  Your advanced degree is going to help a lot in them knowing that you aren't just going to show up and sit around all day and eat bon bons.

Haha, if only I could! I'm starting a Masters in Library science this fall that will take me a year, so I hope that works in my favor. What is the best bet for researching this? Scanning job openings, etc? I've had work experience here in the UK (internships during my MA) related to my career goals and I know the people I've worked with would be glad to provide a reference for me, do you think that's worthwhile to include?

I hope you don't mind that I've given more questions to your answers,  but you and EnglandsYank have given me some good things to think about! Thanks!