Essex, UK lady fallen in love with WA, US man. Need to move him here!

Hiya. New to the forum, which a lovely friend from G+ recommended.
I live in Essex and I've fallen in love with a lovely guy in America. Long story, and I/we will ask the relevant questions in the visa section here, but he wants to move here ASAP. He's visited me once and it confirmed how we both felt about each other, and we chat, videochat etc every single day. We've each found our soulmate. Both in unhappy marriages and I am in the process of going through a divorce. He needs to start the process there but we're not sure how long the process takes there. We just want to be together as quickly as possible.

Anyway, I wanted to say helloooo and get to know people in similar situations. 

As long as you make at least £18,600 per annum, you can sponsor him for a fiancé visa
If you marry in the US, he can apply for a spouse visa.

As long as you make at least £18,600 per annum, you can sponsor him for a fiancé visa
If you marry in the US, he can apply for a spouse visa.

Thanks Geeta. Oh no, I only earn a part-time wage, and that's only from now. Looks like I'll have to marry him there in that case, once his divorce goes through. Presumably there are all sorts of hoops to jump through, including being able to afford having him live with me?

I forgot to say above I have three kids, one of whom is on the autistic spectrum. I actually receive DLA for that child and Carer's Allowance. Wonder if this would make it harder for us? 

Thanks Geeta. Oh no, I only earn a part-time wage, and that's only from now. Looks like I'll have to marry him there in that case, once his divorce goes through. Presumably there are all sorts of hoops to jump through, including being able to afford having him live with me?

You need to earn at least £18,600 per year to sponsor him for a spousal visa as well, unless you receive certain benefits, in which case you are exempt from the minimum salary requirement.

So, whether you marry in the UK or in the US, you would still need to have been earning a minimum of £18,600 per year for 6 months in order for him to get a visa to move to the UK.

If you earn less than this, you can top it up with savings, but between you, you need £16,000 + (2.5 x the difference between your salary and £18,600) in savings. So, say you earn £10,000 per year, you need £37,500 in savings for him to be able to move to the UK.

I forgot to say above I have three kids, one of whom is on the autistic spectrum. I actually receive DLA for that child and Carer's Allowance. Wonder if this would make it harder for us? 

Actually, it makes it much easier - if you receive DLA and/or Carer's Allowance, then you are exempt from needing to earn £18,600 and you can just ignore everything I just said about salary and savings.

You need to earn at least £18,600 per year to sponsor him for a spousal visa as well, unless you receive certain benefits, in which case you are exempt from the minimum salary requirement.

So, whether you marry in the UK or in the US, you would still need to have been earning a minimum of £18,600 per year for 6 months in order for him to get a visa to move to the UK.

If you earn less than this, you can top it up with savings, but between you, you need £16,000 + (2.5 x the difference between your salary and £18,600) in savings. So, say you earn £10,000 per year, you need £37,500 in savings for him to be able to move to the UK.

Actually, it makes it much easier - if you receive DLA and/or Carer's Allowance, then you are exempt from needing to earn £18,600 and you can just ignore everything I just said about salary and savings.

Oh my goodness - my heart was in my mouth for a sec there. That much money?!!! So if we were married in America and he then applied for a Spouse Visa, do you think we would have some luck? I can't tell you how desperate we are to be together. This has made me ever so slightly hopeful that it won't be as awful as I thought it might be....

The requirements are the same whether he applies for a fiancé visa or a spouse visa, but as you receive the benefits you mentioned, as ksand said, the requirements are less onerous for you. The main benefit of getting married in the US first is that you only have to apply for one visa and he could work right away, whereas with the fiancé visa he couldn't work while on that, and you'd have to pay for another visa once you are married. You have to balance the costs for things like you flying over there to marry him and any other costs you may incur compared with the two visas and his lack of income until the next visa comes through if you marry here.

The requirements are the same whether he applies for a fiancé visa or a spouse visa, but as you receive the benefits you mentioned, as ksand said, the requirements are less onerous for you. The main benefit of getting married in the US first is that you only have to apply for one visa and he could work right away, whereas with the fiancé visa he couldn't work while on that, and you'd have to pay for another visa once you are married. You have to balance the costs for things like you flying over there to marry him and any other costs you may incur compared with the two visas and his lack of income until the next visa comes through if you marry here.

Thanks. Yes, I have a feeling my credit card may get some use but it will be so worth it!

I suddenly feel quite hopeful that we may yet be together after all.

Anyone happen to know how long it takes to go through a divorce in the US? He is in Washington State. No money to speak of, no property (long story) but they have children...

If they have children, it will depend on the custody arrangements and how willing his wife is to agree on terms surrounding his moving out of the country.

Thanks. Fingers crossed it's not too complicated.

As the British spouse of an American woman. Quickest and cheapest option is get married in USA and then apply for spouse visa, that took about 2 weeks. Financial stipulations still apply and it was 5 years ago we went through it and some things have changed since

As the British spouse of an American woman. Quickest and cheapest option is get married in USA and then apply for spouse visa, that took about 2 weeks. Financial stipulations still apply and it was 5 years ago we went through it and some things have changed since

Thanks. Just hoping for a fairly quick outcome. I'm sure the visa bit was not much fun! That's the next bit I'll look at on this forum...

Good luck anyway. You'll get lots of great support here. I'll back off from any more visa advice as I've discovered its changed a lot in 5 years!

Thanks and yes, looks like things are about to change again if the news reports about immigration are true

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Great information!
Lots yet to do and learn

Sushiewushie and myself greatly appreciate the help.