Marry in US, settle in UK... why is this so difficult??

So here's the situation.  I'm American; my fiance's British.  We want to have our wedding in the US, go on our honeymoon, and return from there to the UK to live.

As fas I can tell, though, I can't apply for the spousal visa until AFTER we're married, and it could take up to 13 weeks to process, meaning no honeymoon after the wedding and another 13 weeks in separate countries which, frankly, I've had enough of.

Does anyone know what I should do in this situation?  Surely there is a better way to go about this that would allow us to wed and take off a day or two after the wedding? 

Many many thanks to anyone who can help.

*Anna

I believe lots of people on this site have gone to NY to get their spouse visas.  They get them the same day.

Re-read some of the old threads, I know the stories are there!  Good luck!

I haven't got a success story to share yet, but I am attempting the same thing and have been equally intimidated by that broad "be aware it could take 13 weeks..." If you look at some of the forums here, there has been A LOT written about the espousal visa thing that has put my mind at ease. I don't know how to link another forum, but probably someone will some along after me and do so for you...

Most folks on here say that if you go in person for a visa, you get it back that same day and that it takes less than ten minutes of actual interview time. Others have applied by post and been interviewed over the phone. Reading that stuff severely reduced my level of "freak out."

My wife and I have decided to apply by the "Fastrack" option - I think the consular website said they would have your documents for about ten days that way -- and if what the other folks have to say is still true, my wife will have to do a brief telephone interview sometime after they have looked at her application and then they mail it out that day.

Good luck -- and have a look through the forum topics and see if you can't find the many pages written on the subject...

Hi Anna,

I'm American and my husband is English.  We got married in Chicago eight years ago and left for the UK 10 days after we were married.  For us, it was simple, however it's very likely that things have changed since then.

The reverend who married us was very helpful in getting the marriage filed quickly; we had our marriage certificate in a couple of days.  As soon as we had this documentation we went to the British Consular in Chicago.   We filled out the paperwork and we only remember being at the Consulate that one day.  We honestly can't remember if the visa was given to us that day or if we had to go back to get it in a day or two.  But, I know for certain that I had it when we left the US 10 days after getting married.

It's always been a joke that it was more complicated getting the cat into England than me.  It cost more money, required more paperwork and we had to arrange for quarantine  .  And, we nearly had a major screw up when we picked up the papers for the cat's export license:  my husband didn't look at them immediately and he was horrified when he found out that they mistakenly gave him an export license for an elephant!!!!   

Anyway, it was very easy.  Perhaps because we lived in a big city with a Consulate helped because we could do everything in person?  Or maybe the rules changed.  I don't really know.  But I would advise you to try to get more information.  Where did you get your information?  Where do you live and where to do you have to apply for the visa?  Is there an enquiries number that you can call and speak to somebody?

I'm sure there is somebody on this site who had done this more recently than us.

Don't despair.  Good luck.

Kellie

We were married in NC in September and got my spousal visa in NYC in October.  It took about 4 hours from start to finish.  Click on the link below for full details.   

Hi,

I am British and my fiance is American. We are also getting married in the US on the 25th of Septmeber, hopefully if all goes well we can go in person to the British Consulate in New York a few days later.

Just out of interest where did you get the thirteen weeks waiting period from? As far as I understood, you can apply online and book an appointment within 14 days (obviously I will have to book the appointment  before we get married).

I agree that the whole process is quite frustrating, we have called the British Consulate many times and there is always an answering machine playing....
E-mail has also been unsuccessful  . I cannot understand why there is no help line where you can speak to an Entry Clearance Officer in person. Would make all our lives alot easier!!!  Good luck with your visa journey.............

Cas

3 to 13 weeks is the time frame on the Home Office website for applications in the UK to be processed.  That might be what's confusing you?

Wow, I had no idea this place was so active... and helpful!  I think you're lucky even to get a machine at the NYC consulate.  After I get through all the prerecorded stuff and select "talk to an operator" it just rings and rings and rings...............

So I guess the thing to do is apply online and try to make an appointment for as soon after the wedding as poss.  Let me know if that works out for you in September.

And thanks everyone else for your great (and quick!) advice.  I can tell I'll be using forum a lot.

*Anna

Peedal, ATLAS SHRUGGED!!!  Ayn Rand!     Personally, I LOVED the Fountainhead as well!

Ok, anyway, if we'll be married on 16 October here in the UK, I already paid for and filled out my forms for the spousal visa, we're going to NYC in December, I thought it would be cut and dry, like Lola did???  I read and  STUDIED her website diary and am planning accordingly, doing everything she did.  I have a huge plastic case which holds all the papers, photos, etc. etc. in there that she said we'd need.... I thought it would be cut and dry, simple as that.....we even made plans with my relatives in NY to see the Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Centre and just enjoy Christmas in the city if we have a wait....please tell me this is relatively easy...the way we're doing it???  god, I PRAY because I have a return ticket back here to England.  If I can't come back with my husband because of whatever this delay thing is I am reading about, I'll be out a HECK of a lot of cash!  argh!

Peedal, ATLAS SHRUGGED!!!  Ayn Rand!     Personally, I LOVED the Fountainhead as well!

"Howard Roark laughed.  He stood naked at the edge of a cliff."  Best beginning in the history of literature, in my opinion! 

I also loved We the Living - I've read it about 5 times...

Okay - the thread can go back to normal now...

Peedal, ATLAS SHRUGGED!!!  Ayn Rand!     Personally, I LOVED the Fountainhead as well!

Ok, anyway, if we'll be married on 16 October here in the UK, I already paid for and filled out my forms for the spousal visa, we're going to NYC in December, I thought it would be cut and dry, like Lola did???  I read and  STUDIED her website diary and am planning accordingly, doing everything she did.  I have a huge plastic case which holds all the papers, photos, etc. etc. in there that she said we'd need.... I thought it would be cut and dry, simple as that.....we even made plans with my relatives in NY to see the Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Centre and just enjoy Christmas in the city if we have a wait....please tell me this is relatively easy...the way we're doing it???  god, I PRAY because I have a return ticket back here to England.  If I can't come back with my husband because of whatever this delay thing is I am reading about, I'll be out a HECK of a lot of cash!  argh!

I promise you can do it the way I did it!  The only difference is that you now have to make an appointment with the consulate in NYC (not sure about needing appointments with the Chicago or LA consulates, so check with them). 

uhm...we're getting married August 16th, and heading to the consulate August 17th to apply for my visa...is THAT gonna pose a problem with them? We're planning on flying to UK (one way) Aug 21st.....did I jump the gun???

Did they give you the Aug. 17th date? I do not think they take "walk ins." If you applied for an interview, and they gave you that date, I wouldn't worry, as most people receive their visas that day. The thing is, I think you need to take your marriage certificate with you...will you have it by then?

uhm...we're getting married August 16th, and heading to the consulate August 17th to apply for my visa...is THAT gonna pose a problem with them? We're planning on flying to UK (one way) Aug 21st.....did I jump the gun???

The question is, which consulate office are you going to? 

so, is there no fiance visa necessary if you choose to marry in the US and then apply for spousal visa while there for UK?