Situation - Marrying A Mexican Citzen to Settle in UK! Help!

Hi All,

I'm looking for a starting point as well as some questions to be answered if possible. I have been trawling the internet for many weeks now and i'm finding this a very daunting a confusing proceedure. I will start by explaining my situation.

I met my fiancee on a visit to Mexico in 2007 and have been together now for around 15months. I have visited her in 2007 and 2008 and met her family in September last year. She decided to come to live in Ireland on a Student Visa for 1 year (mainly because her friends had experience difficulties gaining entry in the UK and the cost of her study course). Since November 2008 she we have been seeing each other most weekends and on a recent trip to Barcelona we got engaged.

We are now looking at the next stages, We have both decided that financially and security reasons is better that she comes to live in the UK with me rather than settle in Mexico. We are looking to Marry next year in May and decided that it would be best to marry in Mexico, for her family and for the overall costs.

My first questions really is if I get married in Mexico have all the legit paperwork etc is this going to be enough for UK Immigration. I read conflicting stories online that We will need to marry here for her to gain access etc. But personally I would rather have a wedding abroad to avoid having the cost of an english wedding etc and the delays with obtaining a fiancee visa.

My Second question really around the overall process. I need some clarity as to what my best option is. I want to get married abroad and settle in the UK. So is my best option then to apply for a marriage visa and go straight from there? Can anybody point me in a good direction for applications checklist and what documents I would need to support my case. I am really at the start of my journey here and at a complete loss where to start so any help is appreciated.

Thanks all.

After a valid marriage,

if you are British or settled, then she may apply for a spouse visa;

else if you are an EEA national or a British citizen working in an EEA state, then she may apply for an EEA family permit.