UK Citizen wants to marry Japanese woman

someguy · Post by **someguy** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 3:53 pm

I'm a British citizen living in England and I want to marry my Japanese girlfriend living in Japan. We've been together for 6 months , while I was working in Japan as a teacher. Now , i've moved back to England and I want he to come over here to be with me. She also wants to come and live here with me.

How should we go about doing this?

Post by **MPH80** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 4:06 pm

Try a search for 'fiancee' ... there are a number of posts on this forum around these topics.

Also have a look at the UKBA website which will help guide you.

ElenaW · Post by **ElenaW** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 4:37 pm

Your girl friend needs to apply for a fiance visa from Japan (don't try to have her visit then switch as that's not allowed any more). In order for her to get the fiance visa, you need to prove that you are financially stable and that there will be suitable accommodation for the both of you.

Post by **Casa** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 4:49 pm

Apply on form VAF4a - www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk
A fiance visa is currently Â£700 in local currency. After the wedding you will have to apply for Further Leave to Remain which is another Â£800 if applied in for person.
You must both be over the age of 21, show sufficient finances to be self-supporting and have adequate accommodation. Your wife will have to pass the new A1 English test before she applies for the spouse visa on form FLR(M) after the wedding.

someguy · Post by **someguy** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 5:01 pm

Thank you very much for the advice

someguy · Post by **someguy** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 8:24 pm

My girlfriend from Japan is in the UK on a 'working holiday YMS' visa. She is living with me and my parents , at my parents house.

If we get married and plan to settle in the UK.

What should we do?
Get married here, then apply for a finance visa? or
Does she have to return to Japan and apply for it there?

Post by **Casa** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 9:17 pm

You can marry here while she is on her current visa without having to apply for permission from the Home Office. However, she won't be able to switch to a spouse visa from within the UK. She will have to return to her home country to apply. Make sure she doesn't overstay her YMS visa or it will only complicate future visa applications. She may want to take the mandatory A1 English test while she is here. She will need to do this before she applies for the spouse visa from Japan.
I'm assuming you're both over the age of 21?
If you marry by the way, she won't be able to apply for a fiance visa..as she'll be your wife. She will need a spouse settlement visa.

Post by **Lucapooka** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 9:35 pm

Hold on! I am not aware that YMS can't switch into leave to remain as a partner. Paragraph 284 makes no mention of this restriction and merely states that any leave granted of less than six months (except marriage/CP settlement) cannot switch. Nor can DL switch as it's granted outside the rules. Otherwise all valid leave over six months given within the rules can switch. From what source are you citing that information?

the applicant has limited leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom which was given in accordance with any of the provisions of these Rules, other than where as a result of that leave he would not have been in the United Kingdom beyond 6 months from the date on which he was admitted to the United Kingdom on this occasion in accordance with these Rules, unless the leave in question is limited leave to enter as a fiance or proposed civil partner; and

Post by **Casa** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 10:00 pm

Actually, you're right. Originally this wasn't possible, but the regulations were then amended.
A sign that it's time I went to bed.

Switch after marriage to a spouse visa on FLR(M) from within the UK, before the current visa expires. The A1 English test still applies as does the requirement for you both to be over the age of 21.

Post by **Lucapooka** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 10:02 pm

Ok, thanks for clarifying. It's only six o'clock here so I'm still fresh. Have a good night!

Post by **Casa** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 10:03 pm

Thank you for spotting it. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

someguy · Post by **someguy** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 7:57 pm

Thanks for your replies, we're both over 21.

So even after getting married here in the UK she will have to return to Japan to apply for a spouse visa?

Post by **Lucapooka** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 8:02 pm

You obviously have not read or understood what has been said. She may remain in the UK and apply for settlement after marriage. She would not have to leave and apply from Japan. How's that?

someguy · Post by **someguy** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 2:33 pm

Lucapooka wrote:You obviously have not read or understood what has been said. She may remain in the UK and apply for settlement after marriage. She would not have to leave and apply from Japan. How's that?

Thanks

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UK Citizen wants to marry Japanese woman

UK Citizen wants to marry Japanese woman