UK Visa: Same-gender unmarried NON EU partner

[Oksey]

Hello,

I am Slovakian (EU citizen) and have UK permanent residency (registered with Home Office).
My girlfriend is Argentinian. We are both currently traveling and will be returning from around the world trip back to Europe later this year.
We haven’t been cohabiting for 2 years yet. We are planning to get married. We could possibly get married in Argentina = equivalent to UK civil partnership.

1. Is same sex marriage in Argentina recognized by UK? (I couldn't find this info online, this new law has been recently approved in Argentina)

If we don’t get married in Argentina, this questions follow:
2. Is this process correct?: She enters UK with a fiancée visa, we need to be married within 6 month ( during this period she can’t work) and when ‘married’ then she can apply for a two year residency and then she can apply for permanent leave status, then after another year apply for citizenship?

3. During this 6 month as fiancée, can she do volunteering work?

4. Fiancée visa needs to be applied for while outside of the UK?

5. Can my girlfriend apply for UK visa in my country Slovakia or any other country in the world that has UK embassy?

6. Once in UK we register civil partnership, she can apply for a two-year extension to her visa and if application is granted she’ll be allowed to work?

7. How long the point 6 application takes? (any idea)

8. What would be minimum/proper amount of wealth requirements I would need to provide to immigration officers in UK. (I’ll be returning from long term of 2 years travels, so my finances might not be high. However, I am a highly skilled worker (higher rate taxpayer) and going back to work won’t be much of a problem in my field)

9. Since I won’t be working last 2 years due to my travels, will my previous employment track, salaries, tax payments (years 2005-2010) be valid for immigration officer?

10. Is it feasible for me to be away from UK more than 2 years or will I lose my UK permanent residency being away more then 2 years?

I would like to foresee any problems, so I have time to plan ahead correctly.
Thank you for reading, your patience and help in advance.

Zuzana

[Lucapooka]

1. Yes, if it's a legal union in Arg.

2. Yes, if, as a permanent resident, you are heading along the UK immigration route. Otherwise, after the marriage she can apply for a residence card and remain under EU rules.

3. No, not until she is married.

4. Yes

5. She can apply in any country where she has a residence visa rather than somewhere she is merely visiting.

6. Yes, but see 2 on UK vs EU immigration choice.

7. Can be up to 12 weeks but often very much quicker. Applications in ARG are emitted by the Rio de Janeiro hub and are very quick (less than week in straighforward situation) What evidence of your permanent residence in the UK will you be providing?

8. If you have more than 483 pounds remaining from your net pay after accommodation costs, you should be okay.

9. Not in lieu of actual income or savings.

10. You lose it.

[Oksey]

Thank you for all the answers, very helpful. Apologies for late reply, I've been on the road for a while.

I'll add/answer to points that are still open:

2. Is there a good page / link where I can read to get better idea between UK immigration route VS. EU immigration rules?
so, far I only thought about UK immigration route.

7. I have a UK Residence Documentation for a National of an EEA state (issued by Home Office on January 2011)

8&9.
I am willing to stop my travels ahead of planned time. This would lead to having savings.
a.) What would be a good savings amount that could get considered by immigration officer?
b.) Is it feasible to apply for a fiancée visa before I return to UK with my savings info provided?
c.) Or should we realistically only apply for this visa when I'm physically back in UK and working?

Thank you again for your great help. It really is very useful.

Zuzana