confused about it all

[scottishfee]

Hi all

I have recently got engaged to an American citizen. I am a UK citizen. My fiance is moving over here to get married and settle down. I have tried to find answers to questions I have but are struggling and hope that someone can help. I feel like it is stressing me out in a time where all I should be stressed out about is exciting wedding plans.

Okay here goes

1. For the minimum threshold is it just my salary that they look at. Or if my fiance got a transfer with his work with a job offer does this all go towards to the 18.6k?

2. Do I need to be in a permanent job to get a spouse visa or as long as I earn 18.6k will a temporary job be okay.

3. Is states on the government website that a marriage visitor visa can be obtained up to 3 months in advance of his flight here. Does this mean you have up until 3 months before to apply or you can only apply when it 3 months or under to your flight?

Looking for some help and support. I would really appreciate it.

Thanks
Scottishfee

[Wanderer]

Has to be your salary, £1550 a months gross for six months.

Can be temp. if AIUI so long as you cover the six months.

Marriage visit visa is just that, to marry in UK, after that the applicant has to return to home country.

[scottishfee]

Thank you for the quick know response.

Sorry please could you clarify what AIUI means? What happens once he is in the country this way. Would I have to maintain that level of salary all the time?

For the marriage visitor visa I meant can you apply for it say 4 months before his flight over or does it have to be under 3 months to the wedding. Reason I ask is if we have to wait until three months before it will be tight to get everything ready to then have to deal with the marriage license timescale of getting stuff in 70 days before wedding.

[Wanderer]

Thank you for the quick know response.

Sorry please could you clarify what AIUI means? What happens once he is in the country this way. Would I have to maintain that level of salary all the time?

For the marriage visitor visa I meant can you apply for it say 4 months before his flight over or does it have to be under 3 months to the wedding. Reason I ask is if we have to wait until three months before it will be tight to get everything ready to then have to deal with the marriage license timescale of getting stuff in 70 days before wedding.

AIUI - As I Understand It.

After the initial 2.5 year visa, to apply for the next one you would need to pass the same test, but at that point both you incomes count.

Why the Marriage visit visa? That's mainly for folks that just want to marry in UK and never come back - though you use it if you want.

I think you might need to look at fiance visa first if the intention is for hime to remain in UK, Im afraid it's not cheap though, can you let us know what you plan to do exactly?

[scottishfee]

Thank you for the quick know response.

Sorry please could you clarify what AIUI means? What happens once he is in the country this way. Would I have to maintain that level of salary all the time?

For the marriage visitor visa I meant can you apply for it say 4 months before his flight over or does it have to be under 3 months to the wedding. Reason I ask is if we have to wait until three months before it will be tight to get everything ready to then have to deal with the marriage license timescale of getting stuff in 70 days before wedding.

AIUI - As I Understand It.

After the initial 2.5 year visa, to apply for the next one you would need to pass the same test, but at that point both you incomes count.

Why the Marriage visit visa? That's mainly for folks that just want to marry in UK and never come back - though you use it if you want.

I think you might need to look at fiance visa first if the intention is for hime to remain in UK, Im afraid it's not cheap though, can you let us know what you plan to do exactly?

I currently don't earn 18.6k so as well as looking for spouse visa I am looking as a last resort at the marriage visitor visa. This way I know if I can't get a job for 18.6k there is another option which isn't ideal but would mean could book wedding and not wait for me to get salary then book it. I am looking at a date of late next summer.

I have looked into costs and it is expensive but that is what it is unfortunately and we would have to save up for that expense.

I am shocked that you don't need to be in a permanent job which you have to keep the whole time he is here on spouse visa. I am in a temp job at the moment and thought that it would be too volatile and risky for them to accept this as it may not last beyond 6 months.

[Wanderer]

Thank you for the quick know response.

Sorry please could you clarify what AIUI means? What happens once he is in the country this way. Would I have to maintain that level of salary all the time?

For the marriage visitor visa I meant can you apply for it say 4 months before his flight over or does it have to be under 3 months to the wedding. Reason I ask is if we have to wait until three months before it will be tight to get everything ready to then have to deal with the marriage license timescale of getting stuff in 70 days before wedding.

AIUI - As I Understand It.

After the initial 2.5 year visa, to apply for the next one you would need to pass the same test, but at that point both you incomes count.

Why the Marriage visit visa? That's mainly for folks that just want to marry in UK and never come back - though you use it if you want.

I think you might need to look at fiance visa first if the intention is for hime to remain in UK, Im afraid it's not cheap though, can you let us know what you plan to do exactly?

I currently don't earn 18.6k so as well as looking for spouse visa I am looking as a last resort at the marriage visitor visa. This way I know if I can't get a job for 18.6k there is another option which isn't ideal but would mean could book wedding and not wait for me to get salary then book it. I am looking at a date of late next summer.

I have looked into costs and it is expensive but that is what it is unfortunately and we would have to save up for that expense.

I am shocked that you don't need to be in a permanent job which you have to keep the whole time he is here on spouse visa. I am in a temp job at the moment and thought that it would be too volatile and risky for them to accept this as it may not last beyond 6 months.

I'm afraid there's no real option except to earn the money somehow, a Marriage Visit visa gives you nothing except you can actually marry but there's the cost of the return flight, you cannot reside on it, after the six months your then husband will have to return to USA.

[scottishfee]

Thank you for your help. You have made me feel like it's not a never ending mountain of jumping through hoops. Get to the 18.6k (I'm so very close) on a temp contract and it's do able!

[Wanderer]

Thank you for your help. You have made me feel like it's not a never ending mountain of jumping through hoops. Get to the 18.6k (I'm so very close) on a temp contract and it's do able!

It certainly is!

It's got a lot harder in the last few years but if you can do the 18.6k it will work.

[Casa]

Bear in mind that if you apply for a fiance visa you will have 6 months in which to marry and then apply for a 2.5 year FLR(M) extension. When you submit the FLR(M) application (before the 6 month visa expires) you will again have to show that you are still employed and earning £18,600 per annum. Once the spouse visa has been approved, your husband will be able to work legally and joint earnings will be considered when you apply for your next visa extension in 2.5 years time.
Weigh up the benefits of applying after the wedding for FLR(M) in person for the higher visa fee (when the application will generally be decided on the same day), or submitting a postal application with a 8-12 week wait for a decision during which time your husband will be unable to work.
Costs: Fiance visa @ £956
FLR(M) premium application (in person @ a PSO) = £1049 + £500 NHS surcharge
FLR(M) postal application = £649 + £500 NHS surcharge.

The NHS surcharge must be paid online before submitting the FLR(M) visa application.

Ensure you submit evidence of your wedding planning with your fiance application...quotes for a venue, catering, invitations etc.

If you decide to apply for a marriage visit visa, you'll need to provide strong evidence of his reasons for returning to the US after the wedding and why he isn't intending to settle yet. Maybe surprisingly, one of the highest number of overstayers are from the USA.

[scottishfee]

Bear in mind that if you apply for a fiance visa you will have 6 months in which to marry and then apply for a 2.5 year FLR(M) extension. When you submit the FLR(M) application (before the 6 month visa expires) you will again have to show that you are still employed and earning £18,600 per annum. Once the spouse visa has been approved, your husband will be able to work legally and joint earnings will be considered when you apply for your next visa extension in 2.5 years time.
Weigh up the benefits of applying after the wedding for FLR(M) in person for the higher visa fee (when the application will generally be decided on the same day), or submitting a postal application with a 8-12 week wait for a decision during which time your husband will be unable to work.
Costs: Fiance visa @ £956
FLR(M) premium application (in person @ a PSO) = £1049 + £500 NHS surcharge
FLR(M) postal application = £649 + £500 NHS surcharge.

The NHS surcharge must be paid online before submitting the FLR(M) visa application.

Ensure you submit evidence of your wedding planning with your fiance application...quotes for a venue, catering, invitations etc.

If you decide to apply for a marriage visit visa, you'll need to provide strong evidence of his reasons for returning to the US after the wedding and why he isn't intending to settle yet. Maybe surprisingly, one of the highest number of overstayers are from the USA.

Thank you for your helpful posts. I wasn't aware of the fact that you needed to get a fiance visa first then switch to the family member visa? Can he come over on the family settlement visa initially as long as I earn enough. Least this would cut down on some of the costs?

And that is a great tip about putting information into application regarding wedding quotes and invitations - wouldn't never of thought of that so thank you.

[Wanderer]

Bear in mind that if you apply for a fiance visa you will have 6 months in which to marry and then apply for a 2.5 year FLR(M) extension. When you submit the FLR(M) application (before the 6 month visa expires) you will again have to show that you are still employed and earning £18,600 per annum. Once the spouse visa has been approved, your husband will be able to work legally and joint earnings will be considered when you apply for your next visa extension in 2.5 years time.
Weigh up the benefits of applying after the wedding for FLR(M) in person for the higher visa fee (when the application will generally be decided on the same day), or submitting a postal application with a 8-12 week wait for a decision during which time your husband will be unable to work.
Costs: Fiance visa @ £956
FLR(M) premium application (in person @ a PSO) = £1049 + £500 NHS surcharge
FLR(M) postal application = £649 + £500 NHS surcharge.

The NHS surcharge must be paid online before submitting the FLR(M) visa application.

Ensure you submit evidence of your wedding planning with your fiance application...quotes for a venue, catering, invitations etc.

If you decide to apply for a marriage visit visa, you'll need to provide strong evidence of his reasons for returning to the US after the wedding and why he isn't intending to settle yet. Maybe surprisingly, one of the highest number of overstayers are from the USA.

Thank you for your helpful posts. I wasn't aware of the fact that you needed to get a fiance visa first then switch to the family member visa? Can he come over on the family settlement visa initially as long as I earn enough. Least this would cut down on some of the costs?

There are two ways:

Fiance Visa - he arrives UK, you marry, apply for Spouse visa.

Pros: Only one flight cost.
Cons: Two sets of visa/NHS fees, cannot work while on Fiance visa.

Spouse Visa - He applies from USA after you marry in USA or third country.

Pros: One set of visa fees, can work immediately in UK
Cons: Lots of flight costs and too-ing and fro-ing.

Marriage Visit Visa - he comes to UK to marry than returns to USA.

Pros: Can marry in UK
Cons: Extra flight and visa costs, confers no leave to remain.

[scottishfee]

Bear in mind that if you apply for a fiance visa you will have 6 months in which to marry and then apply for a 2.5 year FLR(M) extension. When you submit the FLR(M) application (before the 6 month visa expires) you will again have to show that you are still employed and earning £18,600 per annum. Once the spouse visa has been approved, your husband will be able to work legally and joint earnings will be considered when you apply for your next visa extension in 2.5 years time.
Weigh up the benefits of applying after the wedding for FLR(M) in person for the higher visa fee (when the application will generally be decided on the same day), or submitting a postal application with a 8-12 week wait for a decision during which time your husband will be unable to work.
Costs: Fiance visa @ £956
FLR(M) premium application (in person @ a PSO) = £1049 + £500 NHS surcharge
FLR(M) postal application = £649 + £500 NHS surcharge.

The NHS surcharge must be paid online before submitting the FLR(M) visa application.

Ensure you submit evidence of your wedding planning with your fiance application...quotes for a venue, catering, invitations etc.

If you decide to apply for a marriage visit visa, you'll need to provide strong evidence of his reasons for returning to the US after the wedding and why he isn't intending to settle yet. Maybe surprisingly, one of the highest number of overstayers are from the USA.

Thank you for your helpful posts. I wasn't aware of the fact that you needed to get a fiance visa first then switch to the family member visa? Can he come over on the family settlement visa initially as long as I earn enough. Least this would cut down on some of the costs?

There are two ways:

Fiance Visa - he arrives UK, you marry, apply for Spouse visa.

Pros: Only one flight cost.
Cons: Two sets of visa/NHS fees, cannot work while on Fiance visa.

Spouse Visa - He applies from USA after you marry in USA or third country.

Pros: One set of visa fees, can work immediately in UK
Cons: Lots of flight costs and too-ing and fro-ing.

Marriage Visit Visa - he comes to UK to marry than returns to USA.

Pros: Can marry in UK
Cons: Extra flight and visa costs, confers no leave to remain.

Oh my goodness this is more expensive than I had calculated. Least we are finding out now. Two sets of NHS fees seems a bit cheeky of them. I didn't count on having to get fiance visa then spouse visa. But it definitely seems like the best option. Thanks

[Wanderer]

Have you physically met? It's a valid question since you have to have done so to be able to apply for a Fiancé visa.

[Casa]

There is no NHS surcharge for the fiance visa, only later on the FLR(M) extension of £500.
Your fiance would however have to take out private health insurance to cover the period while he is on a fiance visa as he won't be entitled to free NHS treatment during this time.

[scottishfee]

Have you physically met? It's a valid question since you have to have done so to be able to apply for a Fiancé visa.

Yes many times. He was studying over here but had to move back home when his student visa ran out. For the past 1 1/2 years I've been going out there ever 4 months or so.

[scottishfee]

There is no NHS surcharge for the fiance visa, only later on the FLR(M) extension of £500.
Your fiance would however have to take out private health insurance to cover the period while he is on a fiance visa as he won't be entitled to free NHS treatment during this time.

Okay well that's good. And he will be familiar with private medical insurance from being in the US

[scottishfee]

There is no NHS surcharge for the fiance visa, only later on the FLR(M) extension of £500.
Your fiance would however have to take out private health insurance to cover the period while he is on a fiance visa as he won't be entitled to free NHS treatment during this time.

Hi Casa

Just went onto government website and going by them we would need to pay for a NHS surcharge with a fiance visa? Or perhaps I selected the wrong information

Thanks
Fiona

[Casa]

There is no NHS surcharge at the fiance application stage.

[scottishfee]

There is no NHS surcharge at the fiance application stage.

whoops must have done the wrong selection then.

[McJenn929]

There is no NHS surcharge at the fiance application stage.

whoops must have done the wrong selection then.

I am in the same situation and after going through the NHS surcharge questions online, it said I needed to pay £600 as a fiancé applying to join family. Are we doing it incorrectly or has there been a recent change...?

Thank you for posting about your situation. The questions and answers have been very helpful!

[Casa]

£600 is for a spouse settlement visa to cover the first period of 33 months. There is no surcharge for a fiance visa, but a surcharge of £500 would be due when the FLR(M) extension is applied for after the wedding.