MARRIAGE TO US CITIZEN

[shoebee]

Hi, I hope someone can help me.

I am a UK citizen and my fiance is a US citizen and we want her to come over here and for us to marry next year.
We have been looking at the possible visas she has to have and to be honest are getting confused about what to apply for.

We have known each other for 6 months and she is coming over in a few weeks to visit for a month, staying with me. This will be our first meeting but we have been in constant touch on line, messaging, on the phone, Skype etc.

Obviously we want to spend as much time together as possible, but she has to keep on her flat in the US, pay rent on it, pay for fares etc, as this visit is for a holiday only so we want to make sure that we do things the right way and dont get denied in the future.

Searching online we have found there is a Fiance Visa, but this does not seem to appear on the Govt website. The information I have found says that we need to show we have met, have a bone fide relationship and intend to live together.

Can someone tell me -

Is there a recommended time we should spend together to prove we are in a relationship. She is coming to stay for a month, will this be adequate?
What proof can be given to show we have a 'bone fide' relationship?
What proof will be needed to show we are going to live together?

We feel like we are wading through mud with all this so really would appreciate some advice as all we want to do is marry and be together. Thanks

[Casa]

The condition is that you have met. You will need to show evidence of a genuine relationship, photos together, how you keep in touch while you're apart etc. A fiance visa application will also have to include evidence that you are planning a wedding, quotes from venues, communication between you and the Registrar etc. The visa fee is £956
The application will be on VAF(4a) https://www.gov.uk/join-family-in-uk/eligibility

The wedding will have to take place within 6 months of the visa issue date and your wife will then submit a spouse visa application from within the UK - FLR(M). This will grant her an initial 2.5 year limited leave to remain as a spouse. The visa fee will be £649 if the application is submitted by post, or £1049 if applied for in person. Postal applications can take up to 12 weeks to process and she will be unable to work legally until her FLR(M) visa is granted. Application submitted in person at a Premium Visa Centre for the higher fee are generally decided on the same day,
In addition to the FLR(M) visa fee she will also have to pay the new NHS surcharge of £500 online before submitting her visa application.

As your fiancee's sponsor, are you currently earning a minimum of £18,600 per annum, or have savings over £16,000 to make up any shortfall?

[shoebee]

Tnakyou so much for your reply.

We havent had quotes, made plans for the wedding as I understood that proof of a marriage visa would have to be shown before that could be done.

I believe that the £18.600 rule is not applicable to me as I am in receipt of the DLA? Thankyou for mentioning the NHS surcharge - that is something I hadnt heard of or was aware of, so thankyou for the information

[Casa]

You should be able to arrange a meeting with the Registrar to discuss the wedding while your fiancee is here on a visit, even if you aren't able to book a date. Quotes from venues, wedding car hire etc will be possible without having to confirm a booking.