Advice and Recommendations for albanian and uk relationship

[eromder]

Hi there,

I am in a relationship with an lovely Albania guy. He has been in the UK for 5 years but is currently "illegal". We are both very committed in our relationship and we desperately want to make it legal for him to be here. I've done a lot of reading on other posts but wanted some up to date advice and recommendations please.

-Recommendations on brilliant solicitors for this issue in the east of england or London

- Advice on how to proceed and move forward. I assume marriage in Albania and then apply for a spouse visa is the best way?

Thanks,
A.

[Ballmigirl17]

Hiya

My partner is also Albanian and was in the UK illegally for 3 years. We was advised for him to leave voluntarily and make an application for him to come to the UK as my fiance and then we get married.

We was refused - as I apparently didn't meet requirements (I did), we was advised then to get married in Albania and apply again as a spouse instead but unfortunately we have already spent all of our savings for the application for the solicitor for the appeal and also for me to go and visit him because simply i am just not coping without him.

My fiance has now been stuck in Albania for 7 months and I cant begin to tell you how stressful it has been and how many issues we are now stuck with (depression, anxiety etc) which has led to some serious devastating things for us. I miscarried and I had also tried to end my life.

I suggest you really think about if you can handle being apart. I really wasn't ready emotionally, and if i am honest no time ever is the best time. The harsh reality is the UK is so keen to not let anyone in, and given the reputation that Albanian boys have (coming illegally etc) it is a discrimination thing with them they are quite regular just to refuse based on the reputation of the nationality. But the Home office will never admit it and i myself cant prove it. And it is a shame because in general Albanians are really really lovely people all the ones i have met anyway.

I know your partner obviously really needs a status as its not ideal to be looking over your shoulder everyday, but if hes keeping out of trouble then shouldn't be an issue, but thats just my advise, as i wouldn't wish anyone to go through what we have, and are still going through

[eromder]

Hi Ballmigirl17,

Thank you for your reply and I am so sorry to hear the troubles you have faced - I really hope things start to look up for you soon. Sending you a hug.

We are seeing a solicitor on Monday so we can start to talk through the best way forward, however she is a friend of mine and not specifically an immigration specialist. I think we might need to consider voluntarily going back to Albania and marrying over there, and then applying for a spouse visa. I believe we meet all the requirements, on what terms did they turn your application down?

Thank you for your time in replying
A.

[Ballmigirl17]

Hi Ballmigirl17,

Thank you for your reply and I am so sorry to hear the troubles you have faced - I really hope things start to look up for you soon. Sending you a hug.

We are seeing a solicitor on Monday so we can start to talk through the best way forward, however she is a friend of mine and not specifically an immigration specialist. I think we might need to consider voluntarily going back to Albania and marrying over there, and then applying for a spouse visa. I believe we meet all the requirements, on what terms did they turn your application down?

Thank you for your time in replying
A.

Hello, xx

Thank you for your kind words.

Its best if you see an immigration specialist, make sure you do the research, reviews, and dont be shy to ask questions, ask them their success rate. Its always best to have a solicitor onside.

Before we applied our solicitor advised us she said that she had had no refusals so far. But since us, she has had at least 3 refusals - all Albanian clients.

Our application was refused because I apparently didn't meet the financial requirements. I earn £20,000 a year so work that one out lol. I supplied bank statements, payslips, letter from employment and contract of employment. I understand recently that they also have access to HMRC which they would have also seen how much i had earned... if they even checked properly. They also refused on the basis that we didn't supply bills in both our names to show that we lived together in the UK and because he wasn't on my tenancy. we supplied more than 6 bills 2 of which were council tax bills, the rest bog standard utility bills. as I am a council tenant the council refused to put him on my tenancy as we couldn't provide proof he was eligible to be in the UK, which is council policy anyway... but they did supply me a letter stating that once he had provided correct documents they would add his name and also confirmed that the property was big enough for us both to live there. - on those reasons, our relationship wasn't genuine enough.

They also made some other silly comments, like they had no proof of how he came to the UK which our solicitor also wrote a statement to say he was illegal but he was good boy never detained or deported or in trouble with police and that he left voluntarily, but funnily enough they didn't say he was refused for this (under what paragraph or wordings they use).

They also said that we had no plans to get married as we didn't book anything, but how can I book a wedding when I had no idea when they was going to decide the application? lol we supplied brouchers of wedding venues i had contacted in regards to cost and timescales, and i had already brought my dress so supplied pictures and receipts. but just wasn't good enough for them!

[Elliewifetoalbanian]

Marry in the UK and submit an flr fp application at the same time. Do not get him to leave voluntarily he will NOT get back in. Agree with the points above about home office discriminating against Albanians. I've heard xxxx in London are good and speak fluent albanian.

Moderator edit: The Board Ts&Cs do not permit the posting of professional recommendations on the open forum.

[Casa]

Not so easy to marry in the UK now without any legal status. Mandatory registration only through a Home Office designated Registry Office will then require the Registrar to notify the HO who can then extend the notification period from 28 to 70 days in order to interview you both separately before the marriage can take place, should they choose to do so. Without any legal status in the UK, your boyfriend could be detained during the interview.

[Obie]

Provided a person has passport or ID, and bold enough to face Home Office should an interview be required, and provided there is no legal impediment to them being married, i believe a person could marry in the UK if they so wish.

[Ballmigirl17]

Provided a person has passport or ID, and bold enough to face Home Office should an interview be required, and provided there is no legal impediment to them being married, i believe a person could marry in the UK if they so wish.

They can do so but there is always risk of being detained and deported, and once detained/deported although you may be able to get this revoked its a lot of unnecessary hassle and it may not be granted. We was willing to take this route but my registry office advised against it.

it should look more honest if they are to voluntary leave the UK and apply to come back but from my own experience the home office will always find a reason to refuse even if the evidence is clear in their face just like our evidence was. there is so much uncertainty around it.

[FXR_1340]

............Agree with the points above about home office discriminating against Albanians.........

This may or may not be the case. However, particularly in the OP case, there is the not so small point of illegality.

Please do not lose sight of the fact that, at least in part, the reason there may be "discrimination" against Albanians et al is due to the level of illegal immigration. Is it any wonder that certain nationalities face more stringent investigation. If someone wishes to come to this or any other country they must meet criteria and go thru due process.

How anyone can complain about the possibility of being apprehended when they are illegal is beyond me.

In addition, when children are brought into the equation it is the "grown ups" who made that decision to have kids. This must have been in the full knowledge of consequences due to any illegal status. It could be construed that kids are only a pawn in the game. An item to try and strengthen the case for an illegal to Remain. If that is the case then those involved should be ashamed of themselves.

Legal migrants should be welcomed to the UK with open arms. Illegals? Well........

[Londonirish26]

Provided a person has passport or ID, and bold enough to face Home Office should an interview be required, and provided there is no legal impediment to them being married, i believe a person could marry in the UK if they so wish.

Me and my fiancè tried to give notice of marriage on Wednesday and were denied. He brought his biometric residence card,driving license and bills. We were told he needs a travel document (we applied for one on April but the previous application from last year was denied) or a birth certificate. He does not have one as he came over as a minor 18 years ago as an asylum seeker. Is there anything we can do as we have a wedding booked for December and the home office website says they accept a biometric card as proof of identity?