Reason to refuse

My lover is coming over with a 6 month visa, as that is all he can get. He is from South Africa and I am a British Citizen.
I would like to know the chances of him being able to aquire full residency here or being able to extend his visa. If there is a way for him to do this, how do we go about this? and what can we expect in terms of acceptance and the process involved in obtaining this?
As he only has a 6 month visa will this give us enough time in the application process. Any advice is much welcome.

LoveLost wrote:My lover is coming over with a 6 month visa, as that is all he can get. He is from South Africa and I am a British Citizen.
I would like to know the chances of him being able to aquire full residency here or being able to extend his visa. If there is a way for him to do this, how do we go about this? and what can we expect in terms of acceptance and the process involved in obtaining this?
As he only has a 6 month visa will this give us enough time in the application process. Any advice is much welcome.

No way of switching from visit visa I'm afraid, and to try would lead the ECO to surmise ur bf entered knowing he would try to switch - fraud - no visa for 10 years.

Full residency would be after three years of marriage and cost about £2500 - more likely more by three years time.

Well he is thinking of joining the army would that make any difference to the claim. We really want to be together, is there any hope?

LoveLost wrote:Well he is thinking of joining the army would that make any difference to the claim. We really want to be together, is there any hope?

No that wouldn't make a difference.

Get married apply for a spousal. Or apply for a fiance visa in order to get married in the uk. Or keep visiting back and forth and have an LDR.

LoveLost wrote:Well he is thinking of joining the army would that make any difference to the claim. We really want to be together, is there any hope?

None. Again could make it worse knowingly attempting to settle on a visit visa.

Easiest is like Elena said, apply for marriage-based visa - no issues with that provided you have somewhere to live and can afford to keep another person till they find a job.

So we should get engaged then apply that way? Could we do that whilst he is here? Do you know how long that takes?
Sorry to ask so many questions, but I'm not sure what on earth to do.

LoveLost wrote:So we should get engaged then apply that way? Could we do that whilst he is here? Do you know how long that takes?
Sorry to ask so many questions, but I'm not sure what on earth to do.

You can get engaged here but it won't obviate the need for him to return to SA and apply for fiance visa.

Cost is about £585 for the fiance visa. Should be quite quick from SA I think - couple of weeks.

So he needs to get a fiancee visa from S.A, which means he is my fiancee. Even though he is not. We have to lie? How long will he get? Is it easy to get a Fiancee visa or do we need proof? Also what is a LDR?
Thank you

LoveLost wrote:So he needs to get a fiancee visa from S.A, which means he is my fiancee. Even though he is not. We have to lie? How long will he get? Is it easy to get a Fiancee visa or do we need proof? Also what is a LDR?
Thank you

Right, nobody is telling you to lie. That can get a nice 10 year/forever ban!

If you actually do want to get married and be engaged then apply for the fiance visa. You get 6 months but within that time you have to get married. Otherwise, your partner has to leave after 6 months pass.

For genuine couples it's easy to get a fiance visa and yes it requires proof.

LDR is long distance relationship.

If he is accepted into the British Army he will become "Exempt" from immigration control for the duration of his service. Once he is enrolled, he can apply to UKBA for an "Exempt" endorsement in his passport. Thereafter you would be able to get married, and he could apply for settlement as a spouse after his discharge from the Army.

He can only get a visitor visa, which means he is unable to work, or join the army. We really want to be together, but want to send time together before getting married. is this the only way? We do love each other, but I am slightly worried we will not be believed. If they require proof for 2 years, we only have 1 years worth!

LoveLost wrote:He can only get a visitor visa, which means he is unable to work, or join the army. We really want to be together, but want to send time together before getting married. is this the only way? We do love each other, but I am slightly worried we will not be believed. If they require proof for 2 years, we only have 1 years worth!

You don't need two years proof for a fiance visa. Just that you have met in the past. Photos will prove that.