What do you do when you're on a fiance visa?

Hi everyone! I'm in the process of applying for a fiance visa. The biggest concern my fiance has is what I'll actually do when I get to the UK, since for 6 months I can't work and he has to. Plus we'll be living in the countryside! So could the people who have been in this situation please share how they've spent their time? Creative ideas are welcome too!

I was in a similar situation, as I had extended "visits" to the UK immediately prior to and following my wedding in the States (we didn't get a UK fiance visa).  I took that time to get settled into my new city, familiarize myself with the neighborhood and the cultural norms.  What occupied my time most were my two stepchildren - it's amazing how busy not working can be when there are kids involved!  In that same vein, I started a blog about my experiences as an expatriate stepmother - it's fallen into dormancy for the moment, as I've been in the US for the past 3 weeks, but I'll pick it up again soon.

I will say I'm pretty jealous of people who come on fiance visas because they have up to 6 months to not work to get settled in and figure their way around!  You do these things too when you're working, but its nice to be able to have the time to just wander.  I'd say learn how to use the public transport, learn where the shops are, walk around, take in some tourist sites, sort out provisional drivers licenses and theory tests, find your library and get a card, set up bank accounts, meet new people, etc. 
Also, just take time to relax and be lazy! Its stressful moving to a new country and you'll be grateful for the time to be able to settle in.  Take some time as well to keep up with hobbies and learn new ones!  Once you start working, it becomes a bit crazy! I didn't have these opportunities, as I started my job 3 days after my move here, but that's because I had to given my visa type.
Enjoy

I'm not on a fiance visa, but I've been here for about 5 months as a visitor and I've been spending my time traveling and meeting people. I've seen so much more of the UK than I ever thought I would (and we're only missing Ireland, Scotland, and 2 areas of England for me to have been pretty much everywhere!).

I do a lot around the house. We've just bought this place and it stood empty for a long time, so much needs doing. Plus, he has to work, I don't. So it just makes sense for me to take on as many of the domestic chores as I can.

Which is hilarious, really. I would guess my friends would have voted me "Woman Least Likely to Make a Contented Housewife" but I'm really into it.

Apron. Must have frilly apron.

I was in a similar situation, as I had extended "visits" to the UK immediately prior to and following my wedding in the States (we didn't get a UK fiance visa).  I took that time to get settled into my new city, familiarize myself with the neighborhood and the cultural norms.  What occupied my time most were my two stepchildren - it's amazing how busy not working can be when there are kids involved!  In that same vein, I started a blog about my experiences as an expatriate stepmother - it's fallen into dormancy for the moment, as I've been in the US for the past 3 weeks, but I'll pick it up again soon.

Hey, send me a link to your blog, I would love to read it! 

Well, I came on a spousal visa, but didn't work for the first month. My in-laws live in the village, so I spent some time getting to know them, walking around the village and figuring out where the shops were (and what was in them!), took a yoga class at the local community center, and spent time just situating our place and putting on the woman's touch. I would check the local community centers, as even our tiny village has a pretty good one that offers lots of different courses for continuing education. It's a good way to meet people! Just remember you aren't allowed to volunteer for anything, either, which sucks, IMO. 

Ugh, yeah, I noticed that no volunteering clause, which made me sad because I like to volunteer! Although I was wondering if it would be okay if I observed in a local school... not volunteering, just watching the classes to see the differences between UK and US schools. I want to see what it would be like to raise kids in the UK, and I also was thinking that someday I might become a teacher so it would be nice to know what teachers there are like!

I suppose I can take classes then so long as they aren't academic? Like, I couldn't do anything that I'd need a student visa for, but anything not requiring a visa would be okay?

Ugh, yeah, I noticed that no volunteering clause, which made me sad because I like to volunteer! Although I was wondering if it would be okay if I observed in a local school... not volunteering, just watching the classes to see the differences between UK and US schools. I want to see what it would be like to raise kids in the UK, and I also was thinking that someday I might become a teacher so it would be nice to know what teachers there are like!

I suppose I can take classes then so long as they aren't academic? Like, I couldn't do anything that I'd need a student visa for, but anything not requiring a visa would be okay?

I doubt a school would let you in to observe. They let parents in to help out a bit with reading at primary level..but volunteers they tend to get from colleges or who are studying to be teachers.  Also, you need to be CRB checked by the local council in order to be around children.

Hey, send me a link to your blog, I would love to read it! 

You bet.  I'm PMing it to you, as it's currently under construction and not very pretty.

If you marry earlier and switch to spouse visa, then you will be able to work.  You don't have to wait the full 6 months.

Vicky

True, but one reason for getting the fiance visa in the UK rather than the US was so we would have a chance to live together for a while before getting married, to get used to each other We've tentatively decided to get the visa issued in May and get married in October, but we've already discussed the option of pushing the ceremony up to the summer if we decide we're ready by then. We have a lot of flexibility with that because we're just having a private ceremony for our families, and waiting until we've got 2 incomes before we have a reception for everyone else.

I don't have anything useful to add--I just wanted to say that I think it stinks that you can't volunteer in any way.  It seems particularly ridiculous to me that you cannot volunteer on a fiance visa, but the government is trying to make voluntary work a factor in speeding up citizenship applications. 

Do you garden?  Because if I was in the English countryside during the summer, that is certainly what I would be spending a lot of my time doing!   I know not everyone enjoys it, though.

Or maybe see if there is a local rambling group you and your SO can go out for walks with?  There is a database of them here:
http://www.ramblers.org.uk/areas_groups/
It seems like a good way to meet people and see a bit of the local area.  Again, though, might not be your thing.

Ugh, yeah, I noticed that no volunteering clause, which made me sad because I like to volunteer! Although I was wondering if it would be okay if I observed in a local school... not volunteering, just watching the classes to see the differences between UK and US schools. I want to see what it would be like to raise kids in the UK, and I also was thinking that someday I might become a teacher so it would be nice to know what teachers there are like!

I suppose I can take classes then so long as they aren't academic? Like, I couldn't do anything that I'd need a student visa for, but anything not requiring a visa would be okay?

I nearly took a teaching "taster course," which did exactly that - it allowed you to observe classrooms and discuss a possible teaching career, etc. And it was free!!! I don't believe you would need a student visa to do it, just tell them that you are considering a future career when you sign up, as that is what these classes are intended to do. Offered through my local community center who represents a larger uni - definitely see if you can find a catalogue of those free taster courses - there were all sorts of them that would be fun to check out just for something to do - forensics, etc. You could also sign up with TDA and receive a packet of information about teaching in the UK, just to give you more of an idea if it is for you.

Also, I nearly joined a local camera club (until I got a job and got lazy about the extra activities) and there should be all sorts of clubs for different activities. It might be a good way to meet more people in your area. Or just think of a hobby you have always wanted to take up - like playing guitar, painting, knitting, writing short stories, etc. and give that a go to keep you busy. Sometimes people advertise private music lessons and things like that in the shop windows on the high street, so maybe that would be a good place to look around for something to do. Good luck!!

you can definitely take classes on a fiance visa.  I've always assumed that would mean academic/university classes are okay as well more casual classes (since if you have a visa that you can't study on- ie visitors- you're not allowed to take casual or academic classes.)

I can take university level classes on a fiance visa?? I didn't think I could! I'd love to take online classes toward a master's or certificate, or do that teaching taster course that Jewlz was talking about. Wow, thank you for that info! One reason I decided against studying in England was because tuition is much cheaper when you're a resident, but I thought that meant I had to have a spousal visa first. Interesting...