Marriage to UK Citizen- best visa route

[LeslieK]

My partner (UK Citizen) and I (NZ citizen) are trying to work out the best route for us to marry and for me to be able to enter and work in the UK.
We have been partners for almost 2 years but have never lived together. Currently he is in London and I am in New Zealand.

Can anyone give advice on what will be the clearest route to take that will give us the highest success rate?

We are looking at option 1- He comes over to NZ and we marry in NZ, then I apply for the ‘Family of a settled person’ visa.

Or option 2: I apply for the ‘Family of a settled person’ visa as an engaged fiance, enter the UK to marry within 6 months, then apply for the ‘Family of a settled person’ visa to be extended.

I am afraid of the costs involved with both should my visa application not be accepted,, so want to apply with the best chances of it being accepted.
Can anyone advise what option is best, or if there is another option for us? and what documentation we will need to provide?

Thanks!! Leslie

[Casa]

The same evidence is required, whether you apply for a spouse settlement visa after marrying in NZ or a fiance visa to marry in the UK. The spouse settlement visa will require only one visa application, the fiance will require two, which means two fees.
Does your partner earn at least £18,600 per annum?

[CR001]

Both routes will work but the first option is cheaper in terms of visa fees.

For option 2 though, you have to get married within that 6 months and you also won't be permitted to work until you switch to the spouse visa once married.

Do you have a British born grandparent by any chance?

Edit : beaten by 'quicker than Char' Casa

[LeslieK]

Thanks for the advice! makes it a lot nicer to speak to you rather than read lots of conflicting things on the internet!

Good point about 2 fees vs 1, but if he comes to NZ the airfare will probably balance the costs up i think!
And yes luckily he earns above 18,600 in a permanent role so that is fine.

So it sounds like both options either getting a fiance visa to the UK then extending to a spouse visa OR getting married in NZ then going to the UK on a spouse visa will be equally successfully for me.. as long as i have the right and sufficient evidence.

Does anyone have a guideline on what evidence they look out for as i've read things like phone conversations, photos together, and proof of address helps,, so a definitive list that they look out for will be helpful!

And no i do not have British grandparents- its very unfair I have a lot of kiwi friends that can claim ancestry and do not need to go through such complicated/expensive/stressful situations!!

[LeslieK]

P.S. The reason why I am so concerned about documents of evidence to provide is because about a year ago when i was living and working in Amsterdam, I applied for the marriage visitor visa to the UK. It was refused and reason stated was because I stated I would stay in his rental flat for the duration of this visit, but i did not provide evidence of this address. But at no point or is there ever any list to refer to that states I should provide this.
So I just want to make sure i do not get tripped up this time again!

[DanielP]

Is it a problem if the applicant is staying in the rental property of their fiancée for the settlement application?

[Casa]

Is it a problem if the applicant is staying in the rental property of their fiancée for the settlement application?

No