Fiancee visa answer needed please

[itz_Cj]

Hi everyone,

I am a UK citizen and currently engaged to someone living in Brazil. We have known each other for some 19 months now and we are planning to settle here in the UK together once married. We have done a lot of homework with regards to both UK visa's and Immigraion rules, but there is one question asked that concerns us very much and we hope to hear from anyone here who has been through this situation that can possibly relate to and advise on.

Among the qualifying questions asked, they state that you must show that you have met and this is something we have not yet done face to face. Now whilst I understand to some this may appear to be crazy, to anyone that has been involved with someone for this length of time, and has experienced the feelings and emotions you can build over the net, they would be able to relate to what I am trying to say here. Would they take this personal contact into consideration, obviously along with all the proof we have aquired, be it in letters, email, parent involvement, etc.. or would they not accept anything but a physical meeting?

We are both 100% certain of what we want and we feel the expence used to confirm this over a quick visit is something we could be using toward our marriage/life together.

All help is greatly appreciated.

Cj

[garelickus]

You need to have met in person. There's no way to dodge it

[John]

I agree with garelickus and would add :-

The two of you are aware that a fiancée visa is issued so that the marriage can take place within the six months of validity of the fiancée visa. Is that your intention? To marry within those six months? If not then your fiancée should not be applying for a fiancée visa.

Secondly, given that the two of you need to meet before a settlement visa can be granted, and you really do need to submit "evidence of contact" with the application form .... have the two of you considered getting married in Brazil rather than the UK? If you do marry in Brazil then of course she would apply for a spouse visa in Brazil.

Advantages include cutting out needing to apply for the spouse visa in the UK which would be the case if she comes here on a fiancée visa and then applies for the spouse visa in the UK. Also it would stop you needing to work through the new regulations that come into force on 01.02.05 where a non-EEA citizen wishes to marry in the UK. OK, the holder of a fiancée visa should not encounter great problems, except the need to give Notice of Intention to Marry only at a specified Register Office.

Coming here on a spouse visa would also mean she could work in the UK as soon as she arrives, rather than having to wait until after her spouse visa is granted.

The two of you need to think seriously about your plans.