Fiancee visa discussion

[Mk93]

Hello all,

Thank you for taking the time to read over the below. Lots of irrelevant information I'm sure but hopefully someone can help put my mind at ease somewhat.

My fiancee (USA national, 22/f) and I (British national, 24/m) have been engaged for a while now. She is approaching the end of her studies come may 2018 or there abouts. We wish for her to live with me as soon as possible after she graduates.

I make over £18,600 in the UK. She works part time only.

We are looking for help with an aim to marry and then live together. I see a lot of conflicting information or at least confusing information on the matter however.

I was hoping someone had a concrete guide or could give me a rough idea on how to begin, what our options are, the costs involved and such.

Some questions I have are:

1. Whether it is better to marry in the UK on a fiancee visa, then upgrade this to a spousal visa whilst she is here. The costs associated with this (Will this cost twice as much?). Or marry in the USA and why? Our preference would be for her to graduate, move here, marry and remain.

2. What counts as supporting documents? We have seen each other 5 times now (I just got back on 6/11).

3. Ideally, if there is anyone who has done the same thing, I would appreciate it if we could open correspondence for help... It is becoming stressful reading the same online help over and over again with it making less sense each time.

[smarter1]

1. If you gf is on a student Tier 4 General visa, you can marry in the UK on this visa and then switch into a spouse settlement visa. However, be aware that your notice period may be extended by the registrar to 70 days (if my memory serves me well), so do everything in advance and do not leave it until the last month.

2. supporting documents to support what exactly?

[Mk93]

Thanks, she is a student in the USA at the moment. We want to marry in the UK after she graduates there.

Supporting documents required for the fiancee/spouse visa.

[Casa]

In which case, you can either:
1. Marry in the US and apply for a Spouse settlement visa - visa fee £1,464 + £600 IHS surcharge.
OR
2. Apply for a fiance visa in the US to marry in the UK and then submit a FLR(M) visa application. £1,464 visa fee then a further £993 + £500 IHS surcharge.
The second option requires two separate visa applications which will result in visa fees x 2.

https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa

[Mk93]

Okay that's what I was under the impression of thank you.

Should we go option one are there any downsides to that? For example would our marriage be looked upon less favourably if I go there, we have an overnight wedding and I come home and we start the application process?

I am a natural worrier and this kind of money means I can't risk messing up... I appreciate everyone's help.

[Casa]

It might well be expected that you would at least spend a few days 'honeymoon' with your new bride, before rushing home to start the application process.

[Mk93]

Yeah I can appreciate that... Didn't think a few days would make much difference however.

Is it always a requirement that the US citizen goes to a USCIS office (application support center)? Even if they have already visited the UK?

I'm confident in my ability to fill out and apply the form. But I'm worried about any unexpected surprises or deadlines and additional information that might be required that isn't explicitly stated.

Does anyone know of any form of guide to this for example, or someone who has went through this?