I'm in USA and my fiancee is in UK how do I.......?

[bigarko]

Hello anyone who can advice,
I Live in Texas and have known my fiancee since childhood, we've decided to get married next year. The problem is, she is in UK and have applied for leave to remain but homeoffice have delayed their decision to approve or not for the last 3 years. She came to UK on visit visa 15 years ago and overstayed but her papers are still with the homeoffice.
Originally she is from Nigeria, I'm wondering whether we can get married in UK even though her papers are with the homeoffice and I can apply for her to join me in US or she has to go back to Nigeria and do the application in Nigeria after we get married. if not possible to get married in UK we can do it in Nigeria but I need to know my UK visa chances as it might be less cumbersome for her to come from UK to US than from Nigeria to US.

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Casa]

Do you intend to settle together in the US

Extremely difficult if not impossible to marry in the UK. As your fiancee has no legal status in the UK you won't qualify for a marriage visit visa and you are not permitted to marry while in the UK as a visitor.

[bigarko]

Thanks for your response, yes we both intend settling in the US

[Casa]

Thanks for your response, yes we both intend settling in the US

In which case, marry in Nigeria and submit her application from there. She will have to request the Home Office to release her passport and in the circumstances they will probably tell her to collect this from the airport before her departure.

[bigarko]

Many thanks Casa
Not the answer I was expecting as the application in Nigeria is a very difficult process but nonetheless i very much appreciate your response.
Would you know if her longer stay without the appropriate visa in UK will count negatively against her application to the US?

[Casa]

Many thanks Casa
Not the answer I was expecting as the application in Nigeria is a very difficult process but nonetheless i very much appreciate your response.
Would you know if her longer stay without the appropriate visa in UK will count negatively against her application to the US?

I really can't say as I don't have any experience regarding US immigration. I assume that if your fiancee leaves the UK voluntarily it will be in her favour for a subsequent application in the US.