An okay plan? 6 months visitor/spousal visa soonafter

Hi..

I need some informative answers on both travelling abroad and spousal visas.  I am going to meet someone in the UK for the first time.  I am located in the US.  I am planning my visit for the first of the year.  I am getting layed off at my work in the beginning of the year, so this is the best time for me to go see him.

I just recieved my first passport last week. I have never flown out of the the USA before.

Since I am getting layed off, my company has no idea what month they will re-hire me next, which would give me the perfect opportunity to visit for a longer period of time.

I won't be able to keep up my apartment because I am getting layed off, so I am getting rid of the apartment and just up and fly to go to the UK for 6 months.  I think that is the limit for a visitor only.

Can I book a flight with a 'changeable ticket' where I can originally book the return ticket for say a 2 months stay but then change the date to at most 6 months stay at the end?

The plan is that we spend some time with each other in the UK and if we really get on, we would like to get a spousal visa.

So after my stay in the UK, at most 6 months, we would like to fly back to the states together, stay in a motel and get married, and apply online for a spousal visa in which we would expidite so that I can make my final flight to the uk to be with him more rapidly.

can i stay in the uk for 6 months as just a visitor and then fly back to the states after 6 months is up to get a marrige licence here, apply for an expidited spousal visa which I can then fly back into the UK in the same year?

Is this an okay plan?

The first half of your plan sucks...no other way to say it.

You'll have no home or job in the US -- basically nothing to go back to, I don't think you'll be allowed entry because you don't meet the requirements.

This page explains what documents you should have when coming to the United Kingdom as a general visitor.
They are:

■if you are employed, a letter from your employer granting leave of absence from your job for a specified period - the letter should also say how long you have been employed by that employer, in what job(s), and when you are expected back at work;
■if you are self-employed, evidence of your business activities and financial standing;
■evidence of any property you own in your home country;
■if you are a student, a letter from your school or college stating the course you are on, its start and finish dates, and the dates of the holiday period when you intend to visit the United Kingdom;
■evidence of any family or social ties and responsibilities to return to;
■evidence of any firm travel plans you have made;
■bank statements going back over a period of several months; and
■evidence of savings available to you.

You're an unemployed, homeless, American Female...3 strikes already, I seriously doubt that they'd let you in to begin with.

Add to that you're going to intentionally lie to an Immigration Officer to gain entry by saying you're only going to stay for 2 months and then change your ticket after you get in and stay for 6 months -- bad idea they can check to see when you left and using deception to gain entry (whether successful or not) can be used to refuse any future visa applications you make (even spouse visas) under Immigration Law section 320(11).

Considering that you have never met in person, I'd keep it to a short trip (2 weeks maximum) and have an alternative plan just in case things don't work the way you hope that they do...have enough money to fund your entire trip without relying on someone else so you will have hotel/hostel, food, transportation, sightseeing just to name a few big ones.


In theory, yes you can visit for a period of time, return to the US together, get married and apply for your spouse visa. But, dont lie to the IO, have plenty of funds for the trip, get health coverage (travel insurance) to cover you for the entire length of your trip as you cannot use the NHS, and have a plan B in case things don't work and you realise they're an axe murderer or something.

You may have a difficult time convincing the border agent that you have ties to the US when you don't have a job and a place to live in the US. If you want to visit for that long your best bet is to apply for a visitor or fiance visa, because you are going to have a difficult time proving that you aren't going to overstay. (And if they think you are going to overstay they'll send you right back! )

Actually, rereading your post it looks like the fiance visa may be the best bet for your situation, if the more expensive one. At least with it you will be able to transfer into the FLR(M) in country without having to return to the US.

Have a look on the visa board, there is ton of info on fiance/marriage visas and people that have had issues with being bounced.

Good luck!

I agree with WebyJ - that's exactly what I was about to reply with, except she said it much more concisely .

A couple of other things to mention:

- You don't mention how old you are, but in case you don't already know, both you and your boyfriend must be over 21 in order to apply for a spousal visa.

- I'm not sure that staying in a motel room while you get your spousal visa will be the best idea, because you need to provide a return address on your visa application for them to send your passport (and visa) back to when the visa has been issued and a motel address may not be the most practical/safe address to use (they may need to contact you during the processing time too). Also, even using the priority processing service, you could still be waiting up to 3 weeks for your visa to be issued, possibly even longer if you do end up being refused entry to the UK if you go as a visitor (because they have to look into the refusal, which increases the processing time) and so you might end up having to stay in the motel for a few weeks while you're waiting for the visa - it would probably be best to have a proper fixed address for that time (is there maybe a relative that you could stay with?).

Actually, rereading your post it looks like the fiance visa may be the best bet for your situation, if the more expensive one. At least with it you will be able to transfer into the FLR(M) in country without having to return to the US.

Yeah, a fiance visa does seem more practical, but they must have met in person to get a fiance visa, which they haven't yet, so maybe the best thing would be to go to the UK for a short visit, then if they get on, she can go back to the US and apply for a 6-month fiance visa (for which you also both need to be over 21).

Was going to post basically the same thing as WebyJ, but she beat me to it.


Sorry if it feels like everyone is pooping on your party, but it really is better to know all this up-front so that you don't find yourself being sent home like a naughty child.

Good luck!

I like the fiance visa idea in THEORY. 

But how does she clear the having met hurdle?

I thought you could not get a fiance visa unless you have proof you have already met ? Oh ad dont go through Heathrow .. I was deported from there almost same stuff except I am on disability  and they refused me because I was unemployed .. was in January also ,, well here we are Nov after 2 denied appeals went to tribunal was ok d by judge never should have been denied  WELL HELLO  sent passport to nyc yesterday for visa  JUST BECAREFUL  you dont want to waste all that money and time to sit in detention center to be put on flight to be sent home    DO NOT FLY INTO HEATHROW

Totally forgot you have to meet for fiance visa. Given the situation it is probably better that he visit the US first.

I don't think it matters what airport you fly into, they bounce people from all of them and the service varies either way. Depends on the IO's mood I think! I've been hassled with a visa more than I was hassled without one!

I have to agree, I don't think that it's LHR.  I've had more hassles at Stanstead than at Heathrow. 

Don't forget Dover.   

Just wanted to add that the fiance visa is not a visitor's visa, but a visa for the intention of marriage.

I would recommend, like WebyJ, on having another plan in case you come to the UK and hate it or you meet the guy and have zero chemistry in person. Meet first then consider marriage.

Everyone seems to be agreeing with WebyJ so far. However...

WebyJ: "I seriously doubt that they'd let you in to begin with."

"I seriously doubt" = "I don't know and I'm just guessing."

Having visited 40 counties, many times wanting to stay for the maximum they allow on a visitor's visa, and having NEVER ONCE been asked for proof of residence back home, proof of job back home, proof of funds... anything... I wouldn't get too concerned. I've also been places and said '2 weeks' on entry, then decided I liked it there and stayed 3 months - no problem.

Best bet is to ignore all the crap on here and call up the people who actually issue the visas and ask them. Why can't people just say 'I don't know' instead of telling you your plan sucks and spouting off a bunch of worthless crap?

Here's the number for the immigration enquiry bureau: 0870 606 7766. Ask them. Ignore everyone else.

Everyone seems to be agreeing with WebyJ so far. However...

WebyJ: "I seriously doubt that they'd let you in to begin with."

"I seriously doubt" = "I don't know and I'm just guessing."

Having visited 40 counties, many times wanting to stay for the maximum they allow on a visitor's visa, and having NEVER ONCE been asked for proof of residence back home, proof of job back home, proof of funds... anything... I wouldn't get too concerned. I've also been places and said '2 weeks' on entry, then decided I liked it there and stayed 3 months - no problem.

Best bet is to ignore all the crap on here and call up the people who actually issue the visas and ask them. Why can't people just say 'I don't know' instead of telling you your plan sucks and spouting off a bunch of worthless crap?

Here's the number for the immigration enquiry bureau: 0870 606 7766. Ask them. Ignore everyone else.

Who are you? Your first post on here and you're saying no one here knows a thing about this? The British IOs are known to look for single, female Americans with 'boyfriends' in the UK. If I'm not mistaken, several people here have had the unfortunate experience of being put on the next plane home because they did not adequately prepare.

Shadowrun, I would suggest that you heed the advice of the others here. While it is possible you might squeak through, it is equally, if not more possible you'll be bounced.

Ignore everyone else.

I agree with this.  We're all just random people on the internet. 

We make it up as we go along, just like the "immigration enquiry bureau" does.  And the problem with that is?

Having visited 40 counties, many times wanting to stay for the maximum they allow on a visitor's visa, and having NEVER ONCE been asked for proof of residence back home, proof of job back home, proof of funds... anything...

Well then you should count yourself lucky, because I know I've been asked for all of those things!