student to spouse visa - HELP!

Oooh, I've just got myself worried after reading a few of the posts here. I've been in the UK on a student visa since Sept 2000. It expires 31 Oct 2004. I am marrying a British citizen on 23 Oct 2004 but we have been living together for 3 years so intend to submit our FLR(M) prior to the wedding. I always assumed I could just stay on here once I had the FLR(M) but now I'm wondering if I'll have to return to the States for any reason before or after the wedding? Would my fiance have to as well? As a student I've had NHS coverage. Will I lose that once I get married?

Help! Head spinning!

Calm down!

As for NHS, you will not lose that.

I assume you're applying for Further Leave to Remain based on living together for 2 years as unmarried partners?  Since you came in as a student on a visa that was longer than 6 months, you should be able to do this without leaving the UK.  But it's always best to troll the Home Office website to be sure.

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk

It's too bad that students don't seem eligible to apply for SET(O) (indefinite leave) after 4 years.  But I guess that's because part of qualification for a "student visa" is that you will leave the UK once your studies are over.  Oh well.

OK, deep breaths!  

Right, we decided to do the unmarried partner FLR since we are getting married so close to my student visa expiring. Given the amount of time it takes to process the visa, we figured that was the best option. Plus we want to make sure we have our passports back as we are hoping to go to the States for Christmas.

I'll take another look at the homeoffice site. Joy!  

Thanks!