Tourist Visa to the Uk

[tina1984]

My fiance (soon to be husband) is a British Citizen and i am an american citizen. would i be able to visit the uk to marry him and stay with him for up to 6 months? A a Us citizen i understand i dont need a visa, so could i visit the uk as a tourist to stay with him for 6 months then return home? could i come back to visit for another 6 months at any time after that? thanks!

[PaperPusher]

It isn't as simple as that, if you spend more than 6 months out of 12, Immigration is liable to bounce you back to the USA, particularly if your husband is in the UK.

Please check out if you need to apply for a "marriage visit" visa before you get on the plane.

Are you planning to live in the UK?

[tina1984]

I cant apply for a marriage visa as he is under 21. Is that the same as Marriage Visit Visa? After we get married, then what? I can only come back to visit him every 6 months on a tourist visa? The Uk citizenship would be nice but all we want is to be together. ... Legally lol any more advice would be great!

[PaperPusher]

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply ... rs#9248746

Can I get married or register a civil partnership in the UK?

If either you or your future husband, wife or civil partner are not EEA (European Economic Area) or Swiss nationals, you can visit the UK together to get married or register a civil partnership as long as you intend to leave the country within six months. If you wish to marry and live in the UK please see Guidance - Husbands, wives and partners (INF 4).

Everyone coming to the UK to get married or to register a civil partnership (except EEA and Swiss nationals) must get a visit for marriage or visit for civil partnership visa.

You will need to show evidence that you plan to enter into a marriage or civil partnership during the period for which you are granted leave (which will be for six months).

You can get married or register a civil partnership in any location licensed for the purpose of marriage or civil partnerships. Once you are both in the UK you will need to give official notice of your marriage or civil partnership at a designated register office. If you are a non-EEA or Swiss national you will have to show your entry clearance or certificate of approval to do this. You can get more information about marriage or civil partnerships and register offices from the General Register Offices

How are you thinking of spending the next 2/3 years? You cannot live here on a visitor's visa. You may be able to spend more than 6 months out of 12 here, but I think you will be risking it. You have to show you will have money to live here or that he can support you, and a reason to go back. If you have a husband here that makes it harder to show this. Once you are refused entry, you pretty much have to apply for prior entry clearance, and if that is refused an appeal will take a long time.

You will also not be able to work.

Have you looked at living in another EU country. There is also the student route to the UK, but expect to have £10k or so at your disposal for a year's fees and living costs. There are also work based routes.

Have you both met?