US to UK Spouse/settlement visa

Hi everyone

I recently married my American husband in the US, and am soon returning to the UK to start work and find accommodation, and then begin the process of applying for his spouse/settlement visa.

I've been reading the posts on here and have found them very helpful; I've begun collecting documents for a carefully indexed folder to present at the office.

However there are still a few points where I am unclear, and I would be grateful if anyone could answer them:

1. Do we need to register our marriage in the UK, as it was performed in the US?

2. I have heard something about my husband having to obtain "Entry Clearance" from the British Diplomatic post. How does this work, and at what stage of the process would he need to do this?

3. Do I need to be in the US when my husband applies for the visa?

4. How far back do we need to show bank statements, or is there no hard and fast rule?

5. Does anyone know how long it would normally take for a spouse visa to be cleared in the US?

6. Will it make a difference to our application that we have both been in our current jobs for a short time? (Although both have employment history before this.) Is there any way around this if so? Also are we likely to be asked about debts in the interview?

Many thanks in advance

Rednails

Using your numbers;
1. I'm not sure about this one (have no idea about marriages!)
2. Entry Clearance would be in the form of a spouse visa. Be sure to apply for this (and get it) just before you travel to the UK - there is no point applying for it too early (e.g. a few months), because it would mean you would need to apply for an extension before being eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
3. No
4. You can check on this, but most people here use between 3-6 months.
5. Depends which consulate you apply through, but it is usually quite straightforward in the US. Maybe a matter of weeks, maybe even less.
6. No. Finances are usually not a typical question during interviews (if you even need to go for one), so long as you provide enough evidence that you have sufficient funds and are in employment (or employable).

1. Do we need to register our marriage in the UK, as it was performed in the US?

No. If its legally registered in an registery office.