The cost of immigrating

[Nascent]

I'm currently in a long-distance relationship with a British citizen and we're contemplating marriage. In pursuing information related to the process of immigrating to England to get married I've come across wildly disparate quotes regarding the cost and financial expectations of the immigration process and would like to get a better handle on what to expect in that area. For example, one quote for a fiance visa clocked in at around $7,000 (and I'm not even sure that includes the lawyers' fees!) whereas the UK Border Agency quotes the same visa at a much more reasonable £885 (roughly $1500 by current exchange rates). Where does this huge difference come from?? What is the actual price tag for marital immigration, or perhaps the question I should be asking is what should I expect to pay?

Additionally, are there any income requirements that have to be met prior to immigration (for example, do I have to be earning X amount every year to meet some kind of basic eligibility qualifications) and if so, what? I've turned up so much conflicting and incomplete information in my pursuit of this important step for my relationship... it'd just really be good to get some clear-cut answers.

My thanks in advance to anyone who can help me illuminate this quandary!


EDIT: Apologies, just realized I'd neglected to include my own current citizenship (though I'm sure you all probably guessed based on the dollar signs) as American. Hopefully that helps clarify my questions.

[CR001]

I would go according to the fees listed for application on the Home Office website.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... l_2014.pdf

Any other fees over and above this will vary to a very large degree by various immigration consultants etc. If you meet all the requirements, it is a fairly simple process and of course, we offer advise for free on this forum.

Your British partner would need to meet the financial requirement of £18,600pa in order for you as the foreign partner to qualify.

https://www.gov.uk/join-family-in-uk

As you are from a majority speaking English country, you don't need to meet the English A1 English requirement.

As you are in a long distance relationship, you will need to prove that you have met, communicate frequently (skype/whatsapp/bbm chat logs, emails, etc.) and any proof you have of visits or holidays etc.

If you apply for a fiance visa, the rules are largely the same, but you will be unable to work in the UK for the 6 months that the visa will be valid. You will need to get married in this time and before your fiance visa expires, you will need to switch to FLR(M) which will have another cost and will be valid for 2.5 years, at which point you will need to apply for an extension for FLR(M), which another cost involved and will be valid for another 2.5 years.

28 days before you reach the 5 years residency requirement, you will be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) at a further cost. Once you have secured ILR, you can then apply immediately for British citizenship, at another cost.

For FLR(M) and ILR, you/your spouse will need to meet the same requirements you need to meet for your initial application from the US.

As the costs for all immigration categories change on 6th April every year, it is difficult to say what the total cost for the whole process will cost, but based on what I have explained and the cost at each step, you can work it out roughly based on the current visa rates.

[Nascent]

Thanks for all the info CR001 -- that's a lot more clearly spelled out than what I've been able to find thusfar.

A question regarding my partner; as she's a full-time student currently is there any kind of exemption to the £18,600pa requirement that we could pursue, or an alternate approach that we could look into?

[CR001]

Unfortunately no, the financial requirement has to be met or she has to have savings of £62,000 odd held in her account for minimum 6 months.

Also, note that 3rd party support (ie from her parents) is also not acceptable anymore.

There are only exemptions for people claiming certain levels of disability living allowance.

[Amber]

A student bursary/stipend may be used if applicable.

[Nascent]

A student bursary/stipend may be used if applicable.

Thank you thank you thank you THANK YOU! That is the single best piece of news I've gotten in a long, long time! May just have to give a shout-out to you when my partner and I get married -- you've given me renewed hope, Amber, and that is invaluable!

THANK YOU!!