UK US Couple to marry next year

Hi all - lots of useful info on here!

I am the UK citizen and my fiancée is the US citizen. We have been together for nearly 6 years and have more than enough photos, letters, emails, phone records, passport stamps, and flight stubs to prove it!

We are planning on getting married in March/April 2012 in the UK. We have ruled out getting married in the US for family and personal reasons (although we are aware that this is often an easier and cheaper option!)

We are aware that my US fiancée cannot work in the UK on a fiancée visa.

She is planning on coming to England in December/January 2012 ahead of our wedding.

Our questions are:

1/ When is it best to APPLY for the fiancee visa if we are to get married late March 2012 and she is coming to England in Janurary? We know that she must apply from the US.

2/ The Fiancee visa gives around 6 months timeframe to marry. Does this 6 month period begin from the issuing of the visa or the date she arrives in England? If the latter, is it advisable that she applies for this now?

3/ Can we also confirm that the fiancée visa application for her to complete form is the VAF4A (November 201) http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/resources/en/ ... 3073/vaf4a

4/ Is it relatively straightforward to 'upgrade' her fiancee visa to a spousal visa after our marriage? How long does this process take? We are looking to hold a reception/party in the US a couple of weeks after our wedding in England. Is this possible?[/list]

Thank you for reading and for all of your helpful tips!

Using your numbering

1 - somewhere between 6-12 weeks before travel

2 - This is the date of the visa - NOT the date of arrival.

3 - looks like the right one - but don't have time to check right now.

4 - It's relatively straightforward (providing your circumstances don't change) - and can be done same day if you're willing to pay the extra fee. You'll have to book the appointment before the wedding though as they tend to book up 6 weeks out. Alternatively - you apply via post that might take 6-12 weeks. This will also tie up her passport - so no travel.

M.

As far as processing, the us has fast track available. If you pay an extra $300 to world bridge after the initial visa fee, your visa will be processed under 2 weeks. This is great to use if your fiancee does not have a criminal history or any other complications. So really you would only need to give yourself a month if she wants to travel in january.