I first posted in April 2006 when my then fiance had his fiance visa refused after the ECO discovered that he had an entry stamp to his home country back dated. He hadn't done it to cover up an illegal overstay but had stupidly thought that it would would be easier than explaining why his visa had expired when he left the country (he actually had another visa application in process at the time but had to return home quickly when his father died).
Anyway...
All quite horrible, the ECO was very cruel and abusive and told him he would never return to the UK and his passport was confiscated. We had to cancel our wedding after not surprisingly having 2 more visa applications refused in June and July.
We then married in his country and I moved there in November 2006. I've been working fulltime since then and he is building up his own business. I am now 5 months pregnant but intend to give birth in the UK.
After loads of advice we applied for a 6 month visitor visa for him including absolutely everything we could to show that we have strong ties here at the moment and a genuine relationship.
It was granted within 24 hours without him even needing to attend for interview!!
Needless to say, we are overjoyed! I was already getting ready for an appeal or re-application.
I would advise anyone out there with a less than spottless visa history but a genuine relationship to be patient and do their research as it will probably pay off in the end.