Foreign Girlfriend (non-EU)

6008735rd · Post by **6008735rd** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 1:32 pm

Hi,

I have a girlfriend from Asia, and wanted to explore ways of getting her to the UK, preferable permanently. I'm sure this has been asked many times before, so if someone could provide me with a link to a similar topic, that would also be great.

Any information that can be provided to me will be very helpful.

Thank you

Post by **MPH80** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 1:36 pm

As a girlfriend, fiancee, or wife?

6008735rd · Post by **6008735rd** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 2:15 pm

At the moment, just a girlfriend, but things could obviously change to help things along. I'm aware that a foreign girlfriend isn't going to be given high priority at gaining UK citizenship.

Thanks for your reply, by the way.

Post by **Casa** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 6:34 pm

If she is just your girlfriend she will need to check out options of qualifying for a visa in her own right...work or study.

6008735rd · Post by **6008735rd** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 6:40 pm

where would I enquire about this type of visa?

are there restrictions to just travelling over here, for say, one month? Could she just turn up, or would she have to make arrangements before she arrived?

Post by **geriatrix** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 6:47 pm

6008735rd wrote:where would I enquire about this type of visa?

Points-based system.
Entry under Points-based system (PBS) requires entry clearance from outside the UK.

regards

6008735rd · Post by **6008735rd** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 7:25 pm

Thanks for your help... it's amazing how difficult it is to find this info in google, searching what you think would be the obvious things.

Is it true that the system has changed recently?

Post by **geriatrix** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 7:30 pm

6008735rd wrote:Is it true that the system has changed recently?

What system are you referring to?

regards

6008735rd · Post by **6008735rd** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 7:32 pm

the immigration process. someone told me that certain laws have changed recently, and they are being more strict with letting people in. Tests and lower acceptance rates, etc. Or is this not the case?

Post by **geriatrix** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 7:39 pm

Yes, the laws are becoming stricter, to stem the inflow of migrants. Keep an eye on "News and updates" to know more about the changes.

regards

pauldm21 · Post by **pauldm21** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 8:50 pm

Hi,

I'm in a similar situation, bringing my girlfriend from Peru to the UK. its pretty tough.... the easiest and probably least expensive way is to propose and bring her here on a fiance visa! Or go over there to get married and she can enter on a spouse visa. it seems drastic but I honestly think its the easiest option.

She can enter on a general visit visa though. Can be for up to 6 months, but she cant work or study during this time. Lots of supporting documents and evidence required for this application (letters backing up your story, her bank statements, her wageslips, letters from eomployers, proof of sufficient savings, letters from relatives proving ties to her home country etc). If your not quite ready to take the leap, then this is probably the best option.

Other options include...
Student Visa: could be very expensive, especially when you look at the cost of getting this visa, then the cost of tuition fees in addition.

Work Visa: very very difficult. She would need a secured job offer and then the employed would need to agree to sponsor her visa application.

She may however qualify through the points system if she has specialist qualifications.

hope this helps

6008735rd · Post by **6008735rd** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 9:32 pm

Thanks Paul, unfortunately she has zero specialist qualifications, and getting her here will be expensive enough without having to arrange education.

If she's to stay here permanently, I think the marriage or fiancÃ© route would be the only option!

Hopefully it will work out for the both of us.

pauldm21 · Post by **pauldm21** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 9:56 pm

No probs. i was thinking along the same lines but then decided the 6 month tourist visa option made more sense. It avoids rushing into a big decision and allows her to 'sample' life here and see if she could adapt to life here long term.

Its alot of hassle to get all the evidence together but worth it compared to the other options! It is frustrating how difficult they make it!

6008735rd · Post by **6008735rd** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 10:57 pm

You're right, that's definitely the more sensible approach.

Do you know if savings and recent work are a must? I say that because she hasn't worked for 6 months, and therefore has gone through most of the savings she had. Do you know what they consider to be a reasonable amount of time to have known each other for?

It does seem unjust that they make it so difficult to be with someone you love!

pauldm21 · Post by **pauldm21** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 11:12 pm

I'm not sure if they put an exact figure on what is considered "supporting funds". You can always sponsor her application in which case you'll need to provide evidence you can support her. This means bank statements and wage slips (they require the last 6months) along with evidence that you can adequately accommodate her in owned or rented property.

The work thing is more to satisfy them that she intends to return to her home country. They are looking for things like work, studies, family, owned property etc as evidence of ties to her home country and that there is an intention/need to return after the 6months.

There are companies out there who can assist with your whole application process, but its expensive! Â£500 - Â£600 and they claim they'll do pretty much everything for you.

If you've been together (lived together) for 2years + theres also the unmarried partners visa.

Grantb93 · Post by **Grantb93** » Sun May 21, 2017 6:16 pm

pauldm21 wrote:I'm not sure if they put an exact figure on what is considered "supporting funds". You can always sponsor her application in which case you'll need to provide evidence you can support her. This means bank statements and wage slips (they require the last 6months) along with evidence that you can adequately accommodate her in owned or rented property.

The work thing is more to satisfy them that she intends to return to her home country. They are looking for things like work, studies, family, owned property etc as evidence of ties to her home country and that there is an intention/need to return after the 6months.

There are companies out there who can assist with your whole application process, but its expensive! Â£500 - Â£600 and they claim they'll do pretty much everything for you.

If you've been together (lived together) for 2years + theres also the unmarried partners visa.

Hi Paul, i am in a very similar situation as you, my girlfreind lives in Ecuador and we are going through the same visa situation as you was in. just hoping that you could give me some information on which visa process you took, and if you ever got rejected by any visa application. we applied for a standard visitor visa, but she got rejected due to her current circumstances of not being emplloyed over there and her financial situation. we have planned to try again after she gets work over there but if you could give me some info on how it went with you that would be great

Post by **Casa** » Sun May 21, 2017 6:26 pm

This thread is from 2010 and much has changed within the Immigration Rules as they were then. Major changes were introduced in July 2012 and the process would have been very different for the OP to what is required now.

I suggest that you open a new topic and post your questions there.

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Foreign Girlfriend (non-EU)

Foreign Girlfriend (non-EU)

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