Colombian fiance...really need some advice :)

[north_irish29]

Folks, I could really do with some advice...my fiance is from Colombia and we plan to live in the UK once we are married...it seems like a long, difficult process. I wonder if you could inform me of what we need to do to make this happen?

My fiance and I have been together for just over 2 years. We met when she was studying here. But for the last year she has been back in colombia, though we have both visited eachother several times.

Im a UK citizen (born here). Im currently, technically, a student on a doctoral course but i receive a salary of £25,500 from the NHS. I rent a room in a flat with my friend.

She is Colombian, she has just finished her degree in Social Work in Colombia. Her family are middle-class in Colombia; they are not especially wealthy, but doing OK.

What advice would you give us...should we get a fiance VISA, and try to marry here; or marry in colombia and try for a spouse VISA? Are we wealthy enough to get a VISA? Is there anything else that we should be thinking about?

I would appreciate any advice at all!
Much love,
Chris

[MPH80]

On the face of it - you've got enough income as the threshold for a fiancee/spouse with no children is £18,600.

She'll need to pass an english test unless her degree is recognised as UK equivalent and taught in English.

In terms of fiancee vs spouse - my thoughts:

I think it comes down to two primary things - 1) Cost of flights vs cost of visas. The fiancee visa will cost £851 and then £578 to extend via post. The spouse visa would be £851. But the spouse visa would require you to fly there, then both fly back ... the fiancee visa just requires her to come here. So you pay for 1 flight instead of 3 with the fiancee visa.

The second thing to think about is that the fiancee visa requires you to get married within 6 months. This has an implication in organising everything. If you plan a 'big' wedding or are fussy about the venue - you'll need to book that well in advance. So you have to take a gamble - book the venue, lose a deposit if the visa doesn't come though in time ... or don't book and risk not having the venue.

You need to show, with the fiancee visa, that you have plans to marry within 6 months. You do this by showing research ... e.g. talking to your vicar ... or documents from the registry office ... bookings for a reception etc.

M.