Fiancee Visa, help required

Can somebody please help me with a couple of questions re the fiancee visa. ( I've searched a few forums but can't find the answers)

I'm a UK citizen and my fiancee is from the Domnican Republic. We are about to get unerway with applying for a fiancee visa for him to come and settle with me here in the UK.

Obviously we ned to apply for the visa in his home country.

How long does is take from handing in the applcation form to finding out if it's been approved/denied? ( I know each case is different, but a rough idea is better than nothing)

When/ if the application is approved, do you get the visa straight away, or do you need to wait?

I am going to be with him throughout the process, but am a little confused to the how it all works.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

octo wrote: How long does is take from handing in the applcation form to finding out if it's been approved/denied? ( I know each case is different, but a rough idea is better than nothing)

Depends on a number of reasons. If he has been in the UK previously, his application might have to be referred to the Home Office in the UK before his visa is issued. This can take from a couple of weeks to a few months. I am not sure what the current statistics and timelines for referrals like this at the moment.

When/ if the application is approved, do you get the visa straight away, or do you need to wait?

Usually the same day.

I am going to be with him throughout the process, but am a little confused to the how it all works.

If you are going to be with him, this will help establish the details of your relationship, etc. but is unlikely to affect the timeline of referral if it is going to be necessary. Delays with visas are usually due to the time it takes for the referral process to complete, which neither the Embassy nor the applicant or his sponsor have any control of.

Thanks Jeff.

I should have added that he hasn't been to the Uk before.

can anyone advise me off the actual process?

do we hand the applcation form in, wait for an intervew date, attend interview and then await the decision?

Times for dealing with visa applications varies very considerably. In the absence of any guidance on their website why not phone them and ask ..... click here for contact details.

Do appreciate that Santo Domingo is not exactly the busiest British Mission in the world! In the year to 31.03.06 they issued 77 settlement visas and rejected 6 such applications.

John wrote:Times for dealing with visa applications varies very considerably. In the absence of any guidance on their website why not phone them and ask ..... click here for contact details.

Do appreciate that Santo Domingo is not exactly the busiest British Mission in the world! In the year to 31.03.06 they issued 77 settlement visas and rejected 6 such applications.

Not bad!

Looked at the OP's posting history, her guy is an overstayer in USA - or was, might have a bearing on the app form, I can't remeber if it asks specifically for that sort of thing.

[quote="Wanderer]
Looked at the OP's posting history, her guy is an overstayer in USA - or was, might have a bearing on the app form, I can't remeber if it asks specifically for that sort of thing.[/quote]

Unfortunatley so and I know that this is probably going to cause problems with the application.

I'm under no illusion that this is going to be a straight forward case, however I'm praying that this reason alone is not enough for them to deny a visa.

It won't be enough for them to refuse, though it will mean that they may well look for holes in the application and an excuse to refuse it.

Victoria