Financial requirements for Fiancee Visa

 
 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?).

It probably is, but I'd double check that NY is the consulate that handles applications from PA. 

NY is the consulate for PA...I was in central PA and did it by post. I had no trouble at all---was worried about finances but it wasn't an issue. Personally if you can do it in person without a huge hassle I would only because the worrying and stress of waiting for an answer is the hardest part. When it is done in person you have one stressful day and then it is over! When I was married I went in person for my FLR and it was well worth the extra money in point of view.

As far as people advising to get married in the states---that is really a personal decision. I know you save the fee and hassle of having to do visas but you have to weigh that against paying for airfare for your fiance to fly the states and back again. So personally I say get married where you want to get married---either place is fine!!! The only big disadvantage of being married in the UK is not being able to work as soon as you move over---but if you time it right you don't have to wait too long to get married and start job hunting.

Good Luck with everything--and don't be afraid to ask a million questions. We can remember how overwhelming it all feels--but most people in the end will tell you it wasn't too difficult.

Helena

ECO = Entry Clearance Officer(s).  They're the people at the consulate who make a decision on your application.

Thanks for the advice, Helena! (and to Andrea for clearing that up for me)

NY is the consulate for PA...I was in central PA and did it by post. I had no trouble at all---was worried about finances but it wasn't an issue. Personally if you can do it in person without a huge hassle I would only because the worrying and stress of waiting for an answer is the hardest part. When it is done in person you have one stressful day and then it is over! When I was married I went in person for my FLR and it was well worth the extra money in point of view.

As far as people advising to get married in the states---that is really a personal decision. I know you save the fee and hassle of having to do visas but you have to weigh that against paying for airfare for your fiance to fly the states and back again.

That's how I see things--if you know PA geography you'll know that Scranton (my hometown) is a reasonable daytrip from NY, so that's certainly something we could pull off.  In fact, I went there to get my student visa--so quick, painless and the same day! I do know how much it depends on the officer, though--all they asked was to see my acceptance letter and bam! I was done. Not even bank statements or even asked anything about finances. The poor girl behind me, who I'd been making pleasant conversation with while we were waiting, was going to be an exchange student at Oxford and got ridiculously grilled because she hadn't gotten her Stafford Loans yet (but then, neither had I!). I know it sounds terrible, but I sometimes wonder if what made the difference is that I had all my things organized in a binder and was well dressed, and she looked like, well . . .a student.

Anthony and I have talked about where it would happen before, and I don't remember if I mentioned it on this thread or the one on LJ, but since I'm the only child of the family, my parents have mentioned covering expenses if we do it at home. Bureaucracy aside, that's what I'd prefer myself, as I have a large family and weddings function as family reunions for us (another reason why my parents have said they'd help with costs, they want to see relatives they only get to see every few years too!). Anthony, of course, is more laid back about the whole thing and says he'd be glad to, just so long as I'm his wife when it's over. We're thinking of having something smaller, maybe a blessing of our vows or something back home for his family and our UK friends who couldn't make it.

I know 2008 (maybe 2007, if he gets lucky with a well-paying job right away) is a while off yet, but I feel like if I wait too long to get the answers to these questions, we might be screwed! Both his and my immediate family know we're planning this, and we have some engagement rings picked out (he's going to pick "the one", though, so I'll be surprised  ). Unfortunately, we can't get the ring (and thus, set a date) until he's employed, and we want to have a countdown to when the distance will be over for good! (He's just gone back home to hunt for jobs last week, so we're in an LDR after a whole year together. It's absolute agony.  :\\\'()

Okay, that was a novel. Thanks again for your help!

(just an aside...I'm from Wilkes-Barre...hope you can make it over to the UK without any probs!).  I'm over here with a work permit, but I met the love of my life while over here...I too am getting married in NEPA as it's MUCH cheaper (as I'm older, my fiance and I are paying for it).  My step-mom and dad are doing all the planning for us, which is their HUGE contribution. (Plus NEPA is just pretty and has lots of places to have a fun reception).  I'm planning on having a party over here for our friends and family who can't make it to PA.

And if you skipped the fiancée visa, you wouldn't need to stress as much about finances, as then you're mostly just showing proof that you're married, you know each other, and you intend to live together.

For any kind of doubtful or tricky situation, I would definitely recommend going in-person to the consulate.  That way, you can talk face-to-face to argue your case, rather than waiting nervously at home, hoping your cover letter was clear enough.  And you have the bonus of an instant answer!

And if you skipped the fiancée visa, you wouldn't need to stress as much about finances, as then you're mostly just showing proof that you're married, you know each other, and you intend to live together.

I know what you mean, but it might be more appropriate to say that there's a heavier burden of proof for the financial side of things when applying for a fiancee visa (since fiancees cannot work immediately upon arrival to the UK), but it's still certainly a big part of the overall application for spouses in addition to proving you're in a genuine relationship, that you'll have somewhere to live, etc.  The ECO will still want to see bank statements, payslips and/or a letter from the sponsors employer, etc.

That's what I meant, Lola...thanks for wording it better .

I too am getting married in NEPA as it's MUCH cheaper. . .Plus NEPA is just pretty and has lots of places to have a fun reception). 

Hooray for NEPA love!!  An issue that came up over on LJ  that I'm pretty sure I know the answer to, but want to double check with you; you only have to wait three days to get your marriage license after turning it in, yes? I figure Luzerne and Lackawanna can't be THAT different.

Where are you thinking about having your reception? There's a lot of gorgeous places in the Poconos but that's a bit of a drive from the church we're considering (it's in Scranton, and is where my parents got married). I totally know what you mean, there are SO MANY and you're spoiled for choice! Plus, his immediate family has never been to the states before, so I'd really like to show them the best of what NEPA has got to offer.

I know what you mean, but it might be more appropriate to say that there's a heavier burden of proof for the financial side of things when applying for a fiancee visa (since fiancees cannot work immediately upon arrival to the UK), but it's still certainly a big part of the overall application for spouses in addition to proving you're in a genuine relationship, that you'll have somewhere to live, etc.  The ECO will still want to see bank statements, payslips and/or a letter from the sponsors employer, etc.

Okay, good, that's how I understood it to be. I've talked through everything I've learned on here with Anthony (both of us feel much more relieved, he says "tell the internet THANK YOU!") and that does sound like it would be the best option. I'm hoping my previous relevant work experience in the UK will give me a bit of an edge, but sometimes I feel as if it all depends on whether the person you talk to has had their coffee that day.

One thing I'm still kind of unclear on--how do I get the boyfriend and his family through US passport control? Is there a visa for marrying in the US and leaving? Or should they come in under the VWP? I mean, I'd think when the immie-o asks "reason for visit?" and he says "to marry my American girlfriend", that might raise some concerns . . .any tips on how to prove we're both leaving the country? 

I can't tell you how much I appreciate all this help! You guys are stellar.

yeah, he just uses the VWP....that's perfectly fine.  There's been discussion on this board before on how to get through immigration in this situation...i'm sure you'll find some threads if you do a search.  Even if he tells them he's coming to get married though he should be fine as long as he has proof he's returning to the UK with you (ie letter from his employer, info for your UK visa application, etc.)

So, future librarian, any tips on what to use as search terms to get the best results? I was going to use "visa waiver" and "marriage".

   "marriage" on its own is probably too broad, but "visa waiver" and  "'visa waiver' marriage" should net you some good results.

Basically, we just said they were going on holiday (I wasn't there but that's what me and H decided to do). They were all only staying for 2 weeks (H included, since he had to go back to find a job) and they had return tickets. I think 99% of the time you should be fine just saying that your fiance is going on holiday and has a return ticket. If he flies over after you've submitted your online application for your UK spousal visa, he can bring that information with him as proof that you intend to settle in the UK (and not the US, which makes US immigration happy). And of course a letter from his employer would be good to prove he is going back. I was SO stressed out when my H and his family were arriving in case they somehow got stopped but it all turned out fine.

That sounds like a good idea, I didn't think of having him print out a copy of our application. Probably best for him to have, but not offer those things unless they ask for them, I guess!

Thanks a million, and again, congratulations on getting approved!

PS--Andrea, thanks for the tip, I've gotten some good results!

Thanks!

Being in and LDR sucks, but being almost over with it feels AMAZING!! The time passes a lot of faster than you think it will too