Getting married to my US girlfriend...

I'm a British citizen and she is in the UK on a 6 month tourist visa from the US.

I'm self-employed since march 2014 so my income isn't that great. My girlfriend has enough money to sustain her stay for quite a while.

Is it worth hiring an immigration lawyer or can we make the application ourselves?

Regards,

Raphael

Unless you meet the £18,600 minimum annual earnings or have substantial savings over £16,000 to make up the shortfall, the application will be refused. For self-employment, this figure is calculated on taxable income. i.e net amount after business expenses have been deducted. You also need to show accounts for a full financial year;
9.3.1. For those self-employed as a sole trader, as a partner or in a franchise, the relevant
financial year(s) will be that covered by the self-assessment tax return and in the UK this
runs from 6 April to 5 April the following year.

Also bear in mind that you will be unable to apply for a spouse visa from within the UK. Your fiancee will have to return to the US and apply from there. Make sure she doesn't overstay her visitor visa as this will only complicate future visa applications.

Hi, thanks for advice Casa.