Visitors Visa rejected - Fiance visa implications?

[Please help]

Hi

I recently posted a post with regards to bringing my unmarried partner back from South Africa to the UK to live with me. After being with her during her 2 year working holiday visa (of which time we lived together for 8 months) I tried to bring her back on a Visitors Visa which has been rejected twice in June. Unfortunately, I had not been aware that this was likely given she had been here for 2 years, 2 and a half months prior to returning. What can I do to make sure that this does not prejudice against her application for a fiance visa?

- We have met (photos, bills, plane tickets etc as proof of that)
- I own my own flat (£80,000 mortgage)
- I am a UK citizen
- I have savings (approx £25,000)
- I earn £21,000 a year

My questions are:
- What implications do you think this will have for her applying for a fiance's visa?
- Have you any suggestions for overcomming any objections they may have?
- What are the advantages/disadvantages of going down the fiance visa route as opposed to going to South Africa marrying and applying immediately for a spouse visa?

Essentially, I am very concerned that the Immigration Officers will reject her application for a fiance or spouse visa as one of convenience. Ultimately, however, I have always intended to marry her but the Visitors Visa rejection has just brought it forward and made marriage increasingly more urgent so that I can quite literally be with the person I want to be with.

It just seems to be a catch 22 - the fiance/spouse visa is of course 'convenient' as it allows me to be with the person I want to spend my life with but they can reject it on the basis of it being 'convenient'! Maybe I am confusing myself so if anyone has any advice please feel free to enlighten me.

Many thanks

[VictoriaS]

assuming that the only reason for refusal was that they did not believe she intended to return home after her visit, then I would say her application for the fiancee visa stands a good chance of success based on the information you have given here.

Victoria