Colorado -> Bristol ... Self-sponsored (maybe) with loads of Q's! :))

Yeah, she's very well positioned in London, as am I - which would make this route no problem - so is really more of an ego-buster than anything for me... And maybe like you said - we could do things back in the states and just hang there - She's keen on that (at times) so is also always an option -

Why is it an ego buster? You would prefer to attempt to qualify for an almost impossible visa (or even a visa that I don't think even exists - self-sponsorship), rather than just get married and apply for a spousal visa... which has approximately a 98% approval rate in the US?

You only need to use her income to meet the requirements for the first visa and then you can use both your incomes combined for the next 2 visas after that. The only reason you cannot use your income for the first visa is because it has to be income earned in the UK, and you are not legally allowed to earn any money in the UK right now because you don't have a valid visa giving you permission to work, so your income will not be considered.

In general, if there is the option of being able to get a fiance/spousal visa over a work visa, then it's usually best to take it, because it's much easier to qualify for. Usually a Tier 2 sponsorship would be a last resort, and only considered if the UK citizen could not meet the income requirements for a fiance/spousal visa and so would have to rely on the US citizen to be able to secure a sponsored work visa instead.

I've yet to get around to why ppl here have moved to the UK (or looking to move here) ... but suspect it's for similar reasons that I have... But seems I've already cheesed off half the board, so no sense in hitting the other 50% (joke)

The majority of posters here on the forum are married to British citizens and either came to the UK on a fiance/spousal visa, or they came on a different visa (work/student) at first and then married a British citizen and switched into the spousal visa category after the wedding.

A few people came here on work visas, and have gained permanent residence after 5 years on their work visa, but some people originally on work visas have since moved back home, while others have married UK citizens and switched visa categories. There are a few forum members on student visas too, but I don't think there are many around at the moment.

RE: Bristol ... Uhmmmm... Only been here a few weeks, but so far (despite the grey skies Hahaha) it's alright I suppose... It's certainly not London - but has it's own appeal and charm - I do like the Clifton area - but need to explore more... I'm very much located on a 'line' of very bad, to very amazing (literally 1 street divides the 2) ... but love the cliffs and river and city centre and new mall etc etc etc - Ppl have been very nice too... Just absorbing everything right now... but yeah, can't complain! )

Yeah, I do actually prefer Bristol to London, not just because I'm from the area, but because I find London too busy and cramped when I go there - it stresses me out. I actually grew up about 15 miles north of the city, but my favourite parts of Bristol are Clifton and Redland (I briefly lived in both areas at the end of 2008 and into 2009). I would like to move back to the city again sometime, but unfortunately I have to go where the job takes me... and right now, it's boring, flat Lincolnshire 

I've yet to get around to why ppl here have moved to the UK (or looking to move here) ... but suspect it's for similar reasons that I have... But seems I've already cheesed off half the board, so no sense in hitting the other 50% (joke)

I came on a Tier 2 sponsored visa.  Had to go through the "can't get a lease without a bank account yet can't get a bank account without a lease" dance when I got here.  I would have had a hard time simply getting a lease or bank account without my employer. 

I have been here well over 2 years now and have finally obtained a credit card with a 30%+ interest rate and £500 of credit.

I make a very very nice salary and that does nothing to speed the credit process. 

As a result of no/limited credit, I simply live within my means and don't buy anything I can't pay cash for.  I needed a personal mobile phone.  Couldn't sign a contract with no credit, so I paid £600 for an iPhone and have a month to month plan.

I paid cash for my car.

No credit is a fantastic exercise in money management.  It makes you a much better business man/woman to boot.

I survived for 2 years without a UK credit card.  Paid cash and used my US card when I needed to purchase airline tickets or whatever.  I paid cash for my car and everything else was paid by direct debit. 

Surely your corporation has credit in whatever country you are incorporated in.  Why not use a corporate card (with permission of course) until you can get a personal card in the UK?  Not sure why it's seemingly impossible to live without a credit card though, even with a business. 

Yeah, most of us on this board came over on the coattails of our spouses because it was our only choice. I commend you for checking out all the options.

Re credit, I think it will be a whole different kettle of fish once you are a resident, your business is up and running and funds are flowing. I agree that it's difficult to run a business without credit, and banks know that. But right now, you are a visitor, and that's just about that, so you are going to get the brush off. Banks don't want to deal with you unless, like you said, your surname is Trump .

It took me two years to get a credit card, low balance with a high interest rate that I was able to raise the balance on periodically. Funny thing is, I'm back in the US now, have amazing credit and can't get a credit card for the life of me. Why? Because I don't have any debt. 

It sounds as if you have been staying as a visitor for a few months, hopping to CZ or the US for work and coming back to live with your girlfriend.  The 6 months out of 12 applies to ALL visitors, except visiting academics.  If you are not in the UK under a different settlement path, you are here as a visitor.

If you are entering as a business visitor or a prospective entrepreneur, those require a specific type of visitor visa.  

  

I spoke at length with the better half tonight, and wanna give credit where credit is due here (and also clarify one misconception) - But this link by Kristi has proved to be most beneficial to me thus far... As you'll see, whilst it is 'clear as day' about what can, or cannot be done, it's also buried deep in UKBA's website as a sub-link to a sub-paragraph to oblivion and beyond... and it's no wonder I missed this before - Should be posted in large type on Page 1 .. But such is life...

That said, your premise is half right/half wrong - in that, yes, whilst visiting the UK to see the other half - I may go on to other countries - We all do this, and is part of being a tourist, or traveller, or 'visitor' - as I've not engaged in any of the 50 million 'restricted' actions that one is not allowed to do per the link provided... Yes, I do come for a few weeks to simply visit, and then leave - Simples (and I do stay on my own dime - I do not take any benefits - and I do not leech off the system) which I believe is their primary concern - So I think I understand UKBA's reasoning... And given the few scenarios I shared here before - I could certainly see why you (Kristi)  may think I would/could overstay my welcome or make a wrong move - And it was right to advise me against doing something that possibly could effect my chances both now, or long term...

Now, all that said - what I did find interesting - were 2 of these 3 lines/conditions listed in your link:

(x) does not, during his visit, intend to marry or form a civil partnership, or to give notice of marriage or civil partnership; and

(xi) does not intend to receive private medical treatment during his visit; and

(xii) is not in transit to a country outside the common travel area.

So it seems to me, that subsection "x" does preclude someone from going the spousal route... (if I'm reading that right?) ... So, to be totally honest, I'm not even sure now how you all did this (e.g. - you met your spouse via the internet and applied for a spousal visa here?) - technically, the way I read "x" - is that you cannot even do that? ... So, would like to hear how all you that did get engaged/married here - and which 'visa' were you under when you entered the UK, that did allow for that?

"xi" is not a big deal to me, for again, am in good health and not looking for care - but does concern me if I were to have a toothache or walk out in front of a bus or something - I mean, I carry international travellers insurance, which also is not cheap for emergencies abroad - but to tell me I can't get private care - is - well - silly ... but I also understand why they have to state this... Doesn't apply to me here today - so am not gonna stress about it (knock on wood) ...

Now, "xii" .. this was interesting - "is not in transit to a country outside the common travel area" -  Excuse my french, but WTF does this mean really?? Every person I know that has come to 'Europe'... lands at LHR, sees Big Ben, and then goes to Paris and a dozen other European destinations on holiday... So, I honestly don't see what they're trying to achieve here?? - nor do I really fully understand what it's allowing, or precluding? Either way, any of these; from me meeting someone here and us getting hitched, or slicing my finger open on a can - or me going to Paris for a weekend to see a 6 Nations rugby match (*cough*) - could all land me in hot water according to this... (all purely hypothetical, of course!)

Now - the other bit, was below that subsection, on extending ones stay - Since I've only run off a few weeks of my allotted 6-12 months ... (I've never said if I was academics or sports or not) ... but either way, I see that I do have ways of extending, legally - and clearly, IF I were to ever 'do business' as a foreign entity here in the UK (vs. just coming here to see my GF - which even that seems to be illegal by subsection 'x') - If I do decide to do biz here - then 'next time' I go thru UKBA - seems I do need to declare my visa as general business, and not just tourist visa...  I am NOT conducting business here today, so I'm not stressed about this - but IF we do decided to go that route (what now I guess is referred to as the T1 / entrepreneurial visa) then that's easily solved by making this declaration - and starting the entrepreneurial process... Simples - right?

RE: Credit - For those that have shared their credit stories - Thank you for doing so - Those were also very helpful - and YES - most certainly, I can work and live and grow our existing business lines here from our US accounts/banks - but that then blurs the lines of 'intent' with UKBA - as well as those back in the USA (Chase for example, states clearly, that you'll only use your card for 'business affairs') - so - it's a double-edged sword of sorts... Plus, I wish to keep business and personal, separate if at all possible (for tax reasons, amongst many other obvious ones) ...

Either way, yes, I can live off those - and then start slowly bldg my UK credit over time, if we decide this is the way to go - The GF said tonight, that if we ever took the plunge, she'd just add me to her accounts - and we'd start bldg my history from that (which as hubby/wife, we are 100% legally able to do ) so is certainly doable as many of you have already said - But that was then that silly pride/ego thing for me... Why? I dunno ... I suppose it's the whole guy/male/hunter/gatherer/provider thing? ... I've always paved, and paid, my own way... and it makes me kinda uneasy riding her coattails - I know others do it - and by the sounds of things, I may indeed have to swallow my pride and do the same here with her... if we should ever tie the knot... I just have to make sure this is the 'right' decision for me, both financially, and personally.... as I am not 100% sold on becoming a Brit just yet (seen and lived in too many other great places - but do enjoy what many others enjoy here) - Humour being the biggest thing for me ... I love Brit humour - and can't live without it... Now, the 33*F and grey skies and rain for the past few weeks? that's a whole other story!! It's akin to life in Cleveland IMHO... Hahaha - and I see no long lines forming to get into Ohio these days )))) But I do like many things here... but there are other places to consider too... We'll see!! )

Many thanks for those that have advised - and now I'm gonna go watch my F1 qualifying!

BB

So, to be totally honest, I'm not even sure now how you all did this (e.g. - you met your spouse via the internet and applied for a spousal visa here?) - technically, the way I read "x" - is that you cannot even do that? ... So, would like to hear how all you that did get engaged/married here - and which 'visa' were you under when you entered the UK, that did allow for that?

Many people marry in the US and apply for their spousal visa from there.  That means they only have to  apply for one visa before being allowed to work, etc.

People who enter before they are married and wish to change status from unmarried to married enter under a fiancee visa which is valid for 6 months.  They marry and then are allowed to apply for their spousal visa.  You cannot enter as a visitor and then change status to a settlement path (ie marriage) while still in the UK.  You must apply for change in status from your home country, which means going home.

You can change status from Tier 4 (student) to spouse, just not as a visitor.

In transit means you are in the UK for less than 24 hours (by air) or 48 hours (by land) and are taking a travel connection out.  You can enter the UK without a visa if you are in transit but if you stay longer than that, you need to enter as a visitor (a stamp given at the airport is a visitor visa, valid for 6 months with no recourse to public funds, etc). 

In general, visitor visas are single entry, meaning when you come back, you are subject to immigration controls and have to be given a new visa. 

YMMV and of course, I may have gotten something wrong.  I am hardly an expert!

Bit more discovery:

Representatives of overseas business:

This section explains how you can apply to come to the UK without a certificate of sponsorship as a 'representative of overseas business'.

You may be able to come to the UK under this immigration route if you are:

    the sole representative of an overseas company, intending to set up a wholly owned subsidiary or register a UK branch for an overseas parent company; or
    an employee of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation who is being posted on a long-term assignment as a representative of your overseas employer.

To find out whether you can come to the UK as a representative of overseas business, see the Can you apply? pages.

If you meet the requirements, you will need to obtain a visa before you come to the UK. The Applying from outside the UK page explains how you can apply for a visa.

If you are already in the UK as the sole representative of an overseas firm or the representative of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation, you may be able to extend your stay or settle in the UK.


More:

     

Sole representative of an overseas company

To come to the UK as an overseas parent company's sole representative here, you be a senior employee (but not a majority shareholder in the company) who intends to establish a commercial presence for the company in the UK. This may be a registered branch or a wholly owned subsidiary concerned with the same type of business activity as the parent company.

The company must have no branch, subsidiary or other representative in the UK. If the company has a legal entity in the UK, but this does not employ staff or transact business, you may still be able to come here as its sole representative.

You must have full authority to take operational decision's on the company's behalf. To show why you have been appointed, you must be able to demonstrate a very good track record in the same or a closely related field of work.

If the company has previously employed a sole representative here, who has left the UK at an early stage before the UK branch or subsidiary has found premises or started to trade, we may allow you to come here as a replacement sole representative.

You must also be able to demonstrate your English language ability. See the English language page for more information.

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I do have all these things/rights... and can do this 'inside' the UK ... so this is an option for me - as is the newly revised Entrepreneurial route too - which is now actually easier for me (they've lifted allot of the previous requirements) but also put some new ones in place - but that was never an issue...

If I read that correctly, you can only apply from inside the UK if you are already a sole representative visa holder.  You are not and would have to apply from the US.

If you meet the requirements, you will need to obtain a visa before you come to the UK. The Applying from outside the UK page explains how you can apply for a visa.

This is the part that applies to you.

If you are already in the UK as the sole representative of an overseas firm or the representative of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation, you may be able to extend your stay or settle in the UK.

This part does not as you are not on a current visa that allows you to work.  As a visitor, you can't apply from inside the UK.