I am a UK citizen living in the UK. I have a girlfriend who lives and is from Tajikistan.
We have known each other 9 months. We have met online, and been in communication a lot over those 9 months.
She has been to UK before last year to see family who live here, and she got her 1st visitor visa. But we did not meet at that time, as we only met online after she came back from this visit.
She got a 2nd visitor visa this year, and is here in the UK at moment on that visitor visa.
On the recent visitor visa form she is here on now, she did not put me down on the form. Or say that she was going to meet me. As she just put visiting family over here.
We met each other within a week of her coming into country on her 3 month visitor visa. And we have totally fallen for each other. We have spent most of the 2 months together. With her even staying over several nights and us virtually living together.
She has now been here 2 months and it is still going very well and strong. And we would like to get married and have a family together in the UK.
When her visa expires we will have known each other 3 months in person. But would have known each other 9 months online before that (which we can prove with print outs of messages etc).
I know it isn't ideal that we have only met 1 time in person. And I know it would be better if I could visit her there in her country. And / or have her visit me few times on visitor visa etc.
But if we are wanting to start a life together now.
So would it be possible for us to apply for a Fiancé visa?
We have tried to get advice all over the place on this. Some say that it is not possible as we have not met more than once, or have not known each other in person for longer than 6 months.
But then other places say that as long known each other for longer than 6 months and can prove it (with print outs etc). And online counts for the longer than 6 month limit. And as long as met once. Then it will be ok.
So which one is right?
And would we be successful is we applied for Fiancé visa for her now?
Don't worry, her past 'visitor' visa will do nothing to harm her fiance visa. Actually, it will help. The fact that she's been to the UK twice and returned home (without the border agency having to track her down and throw her out) shows that she complies with visa regs, and isn't looking for a free emigration. One important point though - SHE MUST RETURN HOME TO APPLY AGAIN!!! If she applies while in the UK, it looks dodgy, will be refused, and it's doubtful she'd get good treatment after that. If, on the other hand, she returns home, applies for the fiance visa from there (as she's supposed to), then it's more evidence that she's following the rules, and not just trying to get free residency.
I know all this as it's a similar story to my ex wife and I. Visitor visa, working visa, spouse visa, all in a row, all without problems because we stuck to the rules. One thing though, we got married in her home country, which the border agency suggested we should. Because we did that, they never asked for correspondence etc. But we were ready with printouts if they did.
Good luck to you, and congrats on finding happiness :) If there's anything else I can tell you, post or PM me :)
Yeah we both are really trying to stick too rules as dont want to mess up future applications.
And yes we have come to same thing that she must go home to apply again from there.
I have house which own with mortgage and not missed a payment.
And have job so house and job part should be ok on visa app.
But my finances are not great and so have been using overdraft. Will sell house and get something cheaper. But still a nice family home. And big enough for family etc.
Once do that will sort out finances.
But dont think I can give them proof from my bank statements they will be happy with.
But her parents have said that would act as guarantors for that side of things, and are willing to produce bank statements as proof as well as a letter saying he will cover any costs for her when she is here for those 1st 6 months so she wont have to claim any benefits etc.
So would this cover the financial side of it?
And would they be having with her parents covering that side of it? With a letter saying so and bank statements?
We could get married in her country. But think with Fiance or Spouse visa, not sure if 3rd party support for finace is allowed with those now?
Not sure if they would just like a big lump sum paid in either.
First of all you cannot marry in UK of a tourist visa, the authorities clamped down on that and not even Gretna Green will marry you unless she has the appropriate settlement visa.
I think you'll find that if, whilst in UK, she/you apply for a settlement visa the authorities will frown upon this and consider that she applied for her tourist visa, and entered UK, under false pretences, I certainly wouldn't attempt it!
How I would play it, if I were you, is that if you both feel the same at the end of her 3 months then she returns to her country and the pair of you, then, make application for her settlement visa. I'm not sure if the embassy in Dushanbe, or another consulate, would process this application but you make her interview appointment and you subsequently travel to be there at the time of her application interview, you being there is not necessary but, if they have any suspicions, she can always say you are waiting outside for her.
In preparation for this these embassies/consulates always have email addresses on their websites, if you have doubts or questions about the process then you can always email them.
But DON'T even think about mentioning that she is currently in UK on a tourist visa or suggesting that she apply for the settlement visa whilst in UK.
Years ago I became a 'buddy' with the Britisn vice-consul in Tashkent, we talked off the record, I did ask the question what finances one is required to need, he didn't answer the question directly but said "not as much as you may think".
My personal opinion is that you get your finances sorted out first, I think they need to see 3 months of 'healthy' bank statements, you, not her family, are sponsoring her visa so this becomes your responsibility.
From memory what they want to see, on your bank statements, is your monthly salary coming in and your outgoings going out, ideally you should have more coming in than you have going out.
You might only get one shot at this so best to aim for the bullseye with a reasonable chance of hitting it, should they decline a visa application then this stays on record for any future visa application(s).
Don't worry about the overdraft, as long as it's an authorised one. If it is, then it's a perfectly acceptable form of credit management. As long as you're staying within your overdraft, then, as Martin (sorry, Ivor) said - money going in, money going out - it's all that's required. They never asked me anything about my finances in any of the visa's we applied for, even though I was the sole earner. Maybe they did a credit score on me (they never asked my permission), but even if they did, an overdraft that you're keeping within without going over is considered 'good' credit.
Don't forget that she is allowed to work and be gainfully employed on a spouse visa, so it would be unrealistic for them to score her application on your salary alone. I'll also actually disagree with Ivor on this one. If they did ask how she would support herself in the UK if you lost your job (which they sometimes do), it would be perfectly acceptable to produce any financial information, or proof of commitment from her parents. The main concern for the border-nazi's is whether she intends to be a drain on the state. Any evidence you can prove that she won't be, is points in your pocket.
When I first brought my (then) missus home, it was on 9/11 (yes, actually on THAT 9/11) Just after the attack. To say immigration & airport security was tight is like saying Hitler was a bit naughty. Anyway, they grilled us for hours at immigration, and they called both my parents and my employer, to see whether I was gainfully employed, and could financially support her (this was pre-visa. She was just coming in to the UK as a visitor, so had no right to work), but they were nailing everything down tight, given the cicumstances. They never asked to see my bank statements - to know that I was full-time employed seemed to be enough, and that's when they were in full-on gestapo mode.
They're out to catch the bogus - those who aren't in this for real. As long as you can prove that:
A: The relationship is real, B: You both follow the visa rules C: You don't intend for her to break the law when she's here
...then you should be fine.
Yes her parents would support her if that happened. So if we do apply for Spouse or Fiancé visa we will probably include a letter / bank statements from her parents. To say that if I did lose my job or something like that, they would help to support her and she would not be a drain on tax payer. As well as copies of my bank statements.
Yes it is an authorised overdraft. And not gone outside that limit.
It is quite large, about £1000 at moment. But well within the OD limit of 3k.
And I have not or never exceeded that un-auth'd OD limit.
So do you think my finances would be acceptable for them then for me to apply for a Fiancé visa? Or for me to travel to her country and get married there and then apply for Spouse visa?
And still not sure which is best option, Spouse or Fiancé visa.
If there will be a problem with the Finance visa and the length of time we have known each other in person, then maybe will have to go for option of going there and marry there and spouse visa.
As when she goes back I will have known her 3 months in person and is 1st meeting in person, and not had any visits from me to her there or her to me before. But have chatted online 9 months before she came here this year. and spent whole 3 months together.
But not sure if Fiancé visa would still be a problem if we applied as soon as she got home?
Or if should wait 2 - 3 months and then apply for Fiancé visa?
Or if should try and get married either when she gets home or in 2 / 3 months, and then apply for Spouse visa?
Well we are both in it for real and both love each other.
As for proof the relationship is real, well just found out she is pregnant if that helps! :o)
We will both follow the visa rules, as dont want to mess things up.
Well where would she prefer to be married, her country or UK, that should serve to influence your decision, of course if you were already married before applying for a visa that would strengthen your application.
We both have all our family over here in UK. So we would both prefer to get married over here really. Although we could get married there and then have some ceremony here for family here.
But if it makes the Visa app better / easier / sooner, then we would be happy to get married there and then go down the Spouse Visa route that way.
I am not sure how soon I will be able to apply for Fiancé visa, as some people say 6 months from now with travel to her country and her back here.
But if the marry there and spouse visa would be able to be done sooner, then maybe that is best route.
Hi,everybody..I am Mae from Philippines and I am applying for UK Fiancee Visa..Is there anybody can help me on how to get that kind of Visa?What I need to do or what requirements am I need to get ready?Can you please help me here
Your fiance can easily learn all the answers by contacting the relevant government department in UK or contacting 'VFS Philippines Service', you cannot apply for the visa by yourself, you both need to make a joint application.