Fiance/Marriage Visas

[Tr@cker]

How much do these respective visas cost ? I have a Chinese aquaintence, i might get her here on a fiance visa initially with a view to marriage later.

What is it likely to cost me altogether done this way ?

This as opposed to possibly marrying in China and bringing her here as my wife-i understand they are more restrictive with fiance visas and possibly tightening things up now as regards settlement with immigration generally a big public concern now.

A little bird told me that dealing with the British Embassy on these matters is all a bit of a rip-off.

[Casa]

Is she your girlfriend or as you say 'an aquaintance'?? Fiance visas tend to come under even stricter scrutiny than spouse visas. You would need to marry within 6 months of her entering on a fiance visa, and show evidence of plans for the wedding etc, together with strong proof of a genuine relationship. Have you actually met in person? This is apart from financial evidence that you are able to support her, and proof of adequate accomodation in the UK. As many will tell you here, bringing a fiance or spouse doesn't come cheap!

[whirly]

Just in case you're considering doing her a favour by bringing her over here as your wife, here's a little cautionary tale:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7647086.stm

It generally takes about 3 years and costs around £2000-£3000 just in application fees for a fiancee/spouse to come to the UK, gain permanent residence, and then citizenship... without considering the Life in the UK Test, other tests the marriage is genuine, and all the other costs! Not something to be done lightly.

[paulp]

Fiance does not mean girlfriend. It's actually someone with whom you're engaged.

[Kitty]

Agreed that the fiancée route can be problematic. As others have said, you need to show an intention to marry within 6 months, but note that you cannot make a registry office appointment etc. here without a Certificate of Approval, and not until your fiancée is actually in the UK. So it can be hard to fulfil the requirement to show your intention to marry, because you cannot make definite plans!

More straightforward to marry abroad and apply for spouse visa, if that's something you're considering anyway.

The fee for settlement visa (which includes spouse and marriage visas) is currently £515, or the local currency equivalent.

[Tr@cker]

Thanks for that Kitty and the rest of you. There's nothing dodgy about this, its someone ive corresponded with on the internet for a few months and im thinking of meeting.
The fiance route is probably better because as they say, you dont anybody until you've lived with them though the process looks to be more problematic.
My accomodation is fine for two people but can anybody tell me to what extent they will scrutinise my finances ?
My resources are up to keeping us both until she can work (prohibited as a fiance but i know people who have ignored this) but it will be tight for a while.

[Casa]

Bear in mind that they won't issue a fiance visa if you haven't met.

[Kitty]

If you're just at the stage where you are thinking of meeting this person, as you say, then a visit visa should be your first objective. Make sure your firend doesn't overstay or otherwise breach the terms of her visa and you will look like a more attractive sponsor to the visa bods later on.

Best to aim at this stage to cement your relationship with visits to one another, phone calls, letters etc. Remember to keep all the relevant bills, email records, letters, tickets etc.