Spouse visa- how long does it actually take??

[emilyjustmarried]

I applied for a settlement (spouse) visa at the LA branch in the US on July 24th and have been waiting for 7 weeks now without having heard anything. I know a lot of people have gone through this process already. How long did it actually take? I'm terrified of being refused (I've already been refused a work visa, a visitor's visa and was denied entry into the UK as a tourist) and am really fed up with waiting and knowing nothing. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

[Wanderer]

Did u use any deception in your previous refusals and did u declare the refusals in the application (no sure if it asks but it probably does)

[emilyjustmarried]

No, I didn't use any deception and I did declare the refusals in my application. I was refused the work visa for lack of funds in my account, I was denied entry on a tourist visa because I had previously lived and worked in the UK and therefore couldn't be a tourist and was advised to apply for a visitor's visa. Then the visitor's visa was refused because they didn't believe I would leave at the end of my stay. Do you think that would slow the process down significantly? Could they even refuse my settlement visa because of my previous refusals? I was already engaged for all of them and never hid the fact that I was planning on getting married.

[Wanderer]

Don't worry, they can only refuse you if u'd use deception to gain entry that's why I asked.

Think I read LA spouse visas are taking up to 12 weeks but search here, I can't say for definite. There will be some extra checking I think, because of ur history but they can't use any of that to refuse you.

[emilyjustmarried]

Thanks- you've made me more confident!